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THE WAR TRAIL 


BY ELMER R. GREGOR 


The War Trail 
White Otter 
Running Fox 
The White Wolf 


D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 
Publishers New York 

T 228 A 












NOW WE MUST WATCH OUT ! 


[Page 186] 



THE WAR TRAIL 


BY 

ELMER RUSSELL GREGOR 

„ " n 

AUTHOR OF THE WHITE WOLF/ 

"RUNNING fox/' "white OTTER/' ETC. 



D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 
NEW YORK : : 1921 : : LONDON 


COPYRIGHT, 1921, BY 

D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 


"PRINTED 


IN THE UNITED STATES 

§)C!. A624684 0 


AMERICA 


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4 

9 

Ot? 

£ 

s CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. A Courier from the West 1 

II. Off on the War Trail 13 

III. The Council Fire 30 

IV. Away into the North 44 

V. Sioux Scouts 56 

VI. The Lone Rider 68 

VII. Smoke Signals 75 

VIII. A Close Call 87 

IX. Anxious Moments 101 

X. Rebellious Ponies 115 

XI. An Unusual Adventure 128 

XII. An Encounter with the Flatheads .... 147 

XIII. A Clever Stratagem 158 

XIV. The Blackfeet Camp 167 

XV. A Perilous Reconnaissance 181 

XVI. Off with the Ponies 197 

XVII. Hotly Pursued 207 

XVIII. The Stampede 224 

XIX. Trailing the Runways 236 

XX. Safe at Last. 251 






































































































































































































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THE WAR TRAIL 


CHAPTER I 

A COURIER FROM THE WEST 

T HE snn was setting behind the western rim of 
the plain, as White Otter, a famous young 
war-chief of the Ogalala Sioux, drew near the low 
ridge of foothills which he had been approaching 
since daylight. He was bound on a hunting expe- 
dition for deer, having promised to kill a fat young 
buck for his grandfather, old Wolf Robe, the aged 
Sioux chief. 

White Otter approached the timber with his 
usual caution. He knew that the forest often con- 
cealed foes as well as game, and he determined to 
take no risks. He rode slowly toward the cover, 
therefore, watching for the slightest warning of 
danger. He was within easy arrow range of the 
woods when his pony suddenly stopped and snorted 
nervously. White Otter instantly became alert. 
Drawing his bow, he slid to the ground, and shel- 
tered himself behind his pony. Then for some 
time pony and rider watched the forest. 

1 


THE WAR TRAIL 


A loud crackling of undergrowth, and a number 
of soft, bounding footfalls told him the cause of 
his alarm. He had startled a deer from its feed- 
ing ground at the edge of the plain. Convinced 
that the place was free of foes, he mounted his 
pony, and rode to the edge of the timber. 

This range of heavily timbered foothills was a 
favorite hunting ground of the Ogalalas, and White 
Otter had visited the locality many times. He was 
entirely familiar with the usual haunts of game, 
and knew the location of every spring and salt 
lick. Once in the timber, therefore, the young 
Sioux rode slowly along a w^ell-worn game trail 
which brought him to a small grassy park in the 
dip of the hills. A little stream trickled through 
one end of it, and made it an ideal feeding ground 
for deer and elk. As it was also an attractive and 
sheltered camp site, and offered an abundance of 
feed for his pony, White Otter decided to remain 
there for the night. 

The twilight shadows were already gathering as 
the Sioux tied his pony in the woods and seated 
himself at the edge of the little park to watch and 
listen. Although the day was about gone he hoped 
that he might secure his game before darkness fin- 
ally settled down. It was not long before he was 
roused by a rustling of wings above his head. 

2 


A COURIER FROM THE WEST 
Looking up, he saw a pair of plump spruce grouse 
on a limb directly over him. As the birds stretched 
their necks and cocked their heads to look at him, 
he drove an arrow through the body of the cock 
grouse. The bird fluttered helplessly to the 
ground, and White Otter immediately broke its 
neck. The remaining grouse still sat peering down 
at him. He made no attempt to kill it. It was a 
law of his people to kill only what they required 
that there might always be sufficient game to re- 
plenish the supply. 

“Wakantunka, the Great Mystery, has sent me 
something to eat,” White Otter said, reverently. 
“It is good.” 

As it was getting quite dark, and as there seemed 
little probability of seeing game, the Sioux de- 
cided to abandon his vigil until daylight. He 
brought his pony from the timber and tied it in 
the center of the park to graze. Then he selected 
his camp site and made a tiny fire of dry sticks. 
As a precaution against being seen by some prowl- 
ing foe, he inclosed it with a barricade of rocks to 
hide its feeble glow. He plucked the grouse and 
spitted it on a forked stick before the fire. Then 
he drew his elk skin robe about his shoulders and 
seated himself to enjoy his evening meal. 

After he had eaten the grouse White Otter al- 

3 


THE WAR TRAIL 

lowed the fire to die out. Then for a long time he 
sat in the darkness, listening to the night sounds. 
The wind whispered softly in the tree tops. The 
shrill yelping of the coyotes came from the open 
plain. Then the plaintive cry of the little red owl 
sounded within bowshot. White Otter listened 
anxiously. He knew that the call often was used 
as a signal, and he determined to be on his guard. 
However, he soon convinced himself that it was 
genuine, and dismissed it from his mind. Shortly 
afterward he brought his pony from the park and 
tied it near him. Then he wrapped himself in 
his robe and lay down to sleep. 

White Otter awakened at daylight and crept 
stealthily to the edge of the park. As he saw no 
game, he sat down to watch. He felt quite sure 
that either deer or elk would soon come there for 
food and water. In fact he had waited only a 
short time when he heard something approaching 
through the undergrowth. Fitting an arrow to 
his bow, White Otter looked anxiously in the direc- 
tion of the sound. In a few minutes he saw an old 
bull elk standing in the shadows at the edge of the 
woods. It was thin and emaciated, and White 
Otter knew that its flesh would be tough and un- 
palatable. It was well within bowshot, but he had 
no thought of killing it. He had promised his 
4 


A COURIER FROM THE WEST 


aged grandfather a fat young buck, and he had no 
intention of disappointing him. As the old bull 
walked slowly into the open, White Otter grunted, 
and the elk instantly stopped and looked toward 
him. Then as the Sioux rose to his feet and showed 
himself the aged bull turned awkwardly and trot- 
ted stiffly into the cover. 

“Go, old man,’’ laughed WTiite Otter. “You 
have lived a long time. I will let you live on. I 


He stopped abruptly, for at that moment he 
heard a loud snort, and a great crackling of brush, 
as the buck for which he had been waiting raced 
safely away through the woods. The young hun- 
ter flushed with anger. 

“I am like a noisy old woman,” he grumbled, 
savagely. 

After he had gone to examine the trail of the 
buck, he again seated himself at the edge of the 
woods to watch for game. A long time passed be- 
fore he heard anything. Then he was surprised 
to hear something coming directly toward him 
through the woods. It made a great noise, and 
sounded like a deer or an elk in wild flight. White 
Otter sprang to his feet and held his arrow in 
readiness. 

In a few moments a splendid blacktail buck 

5 


THE WAR TRAIL 

leaped into the open. White Otter was astonished 
to see a huge gray lynx clinging to the buck. As 
it reached the park, the deer was dragged to its 
haunches. Then, apparently unmindful of the in- 
terested young hunter, the lynx relaxed its hold 
and sprang at the throat of its victim. The cruel 
fangs sank deep into the flesh, and although the 
buck struggled desperately it was soon overcome. 

Then WThite Otter drove his arrow through the 
lynx. It fell dead with the arrow through its heart. 
A second arrow ended the agony of the blacktail 
buck. Elated at his luck the Sioux ran forward 
to examine his game. He lifted the head of the 
lynx and gazed intently into the cruel face. Then 
he addressed the dead animal and made excuses 
for having killed it, so that its spirit would not de- 
part in anger and seek to avenge itself upon him 
at some future time. 

“Ho, old man, you were very fierce,’ ’ White Ot- 
ter said, softly. “You were a good hunter. If 
I had not come here you would have had some- 
thing good to eat. Well, I saw you. I came here 
to get meat for my grandfather, the great chief 
Wolf Robe. When I saw that buck I decided to 
take it. That is why I killed you. But you must 
not feel bad about it. You have done many bad 
things to my people. Yes, that is why I felt like 
6 


A COURIER FROM THE WEST 

killing you. You have killed many young ponies. 
Y ou have driven away many deer. Y ou have made 
it hard for our hunters to find meat. Now you 
know why I killed you. But you must not feel bad 
about it. Now I am going to do something good 
for you. I am going to give you some meat to 
take with you on the Long Trail. Then I am going 
to tell my people about you. I will speak good 
words about you. Now you must feel good about 
this thing. ’ 9 

Having complied with the ancient custom of his 
people, White Otter opened the carcass of the deer 
and placed the entrails beside the lynx. Then he 
packed the buck upon his pony with a long lariat 
of twisted rawhide and rode from the park. 

When he reached the edge of the timber, White 
Otter stopped to search the plain. A prairie wolf 
trotted slowly from sight over a rise of ground. 
It was the only sign of life on the vast sage-grown 
waste. Assured that there was nothing to fear, 
WTiite Otter set out upon his journey. 

White Otter had covered two thirds of the dis- 
tance to the Sioux camp when his pony suddenly 
turned its nose toward the wind and whinnied 
shrilly. White Otter looked about him with con- 
siderable alarm. He felt certain that other horses 
were somewhere in the vicinity. The possibility 
7 


THE WAR TRAIL 

roused his suspicions. He dismounted and grasped 
his pony by the nose to keep it silent. It was 
snorting and nervously watching a low grassy knoll 
several arrow flights away. 

i ‘ There are horses behind that hill , 9 9 White Ot- 
ter told himself. 

Two possibilities suggested themselves. Per- 
haps there was a small bunch of stray ponies graz- 
ing on the opposite side of the hill. Perhaps his 
foes had discovered him and were lying in ambush 
behind the knoll. The thought made him uneasy, 
as the day was far spent, and he was still a con- 
siderable distance from his people. He had great 
confidence in the ability of his pony, however, 
which was one of the best in the entire Sioux tribe. 
He believed that in an open chase he would have 
little difficulty in keeping well beyond range of 
any pursuers who might set out upon his trail. 

“I will find out about this thing ,’ 9 he declared. 

He planned to ride about the knoll at a safe dis- 
tance in the hope of discovering what lay hidden 
on the other side. As he was about to mount his 
pony, however, he saw a warrior rise to his feet, 
and stand boldly outlined on the top of the hill. 
It was an entirely unexpected maneuver, and White 
Otter instantly became suspicious. He feared 
that it was a trick to lead him into a trap. He 


A COURIER FROM THE WEST 
looked anxiously about the plain to make sure that 
other crafty foes were not circling around behind 
him to cut off his retreat. He saw no one except 
the mysterious stranger on the top of the hill. He 
seemed to be watching White Otter as intently as 
the latter was watching him. For some time 
neither moved. 

White Otter finally decided that, as the unknown 
scout was too far away to be identified, it would be 
foolish to waste more time watching him. He de- 
termined to continue on his way toward the Sioux 
camp. If he learned that he was being followed he 
planned to turn aside on a false trail until it grew 
dark. Then he would circle back toward the Oga- 
lala village. 

As White Otter mounted his pony and started 
away, however, the warrior on the knoll suddenly 
showed signs of life. The Sioux had ridden less 
than an arrow flight when the sentinel disappeared 
over the brow of the hill. White Otter felt quite 
certain that his pursuit had begun. He watched 
anxiously over his shoulder for the first glimpse 
of his foes. The Crows had lately been seen in 
that vicinity, and he wondered if a company of 
those hated enemies were about to come racing 
along his trail. He did not force his pony, how- 
ever, as he was eager to learn the identity of his 
9 


THE WAR TRAIL 


pursuers before he raced away for the Sioux camp. 

White Otter did not have long to wait. In a few 
moments a solitary horseman swept over a rise of 
the plain and galloped toward him. The Sioux 
felt sure that it was the warrior who had been 
watching him. As the stranger appeared to be 
alone, and eager to fight, White Otter prepared 
for battle. Before venturing within arrow range, 
however, the rider suddenly wheeled his pony, and 
raced around White Otter at great speed. The 
Sioux immediately stopped and prepared to de- 
fend himself. Then he suddenly discovered that 
the horseman was a friend. 

“Ho, Dacotah! Ho, my brother !” shouted the 
rider. 

“Yes, yes, now I see who you are,” cried White 
Otter, as he lowered his bow. 

A moment later they dismounted beside each 
other. White Otter recognized the rider as a 
Minneconjoux warrior named Lean Wolf, an old 
'friend with whom he had shared several perilous 
adventures. 

“I have brought you some words from your 
brother, Sun Bird,” said Lean Wolf. 

“It is good,” White Otter replied, eagerly, as 
his eyes lighted with pleasure. 

“It is bad,” Lean Wolf said, soberly. 

10 


A COURIER FROM THE WEST 

“Has something bad happened to my brother 
Sun Bird ?” the young Ogalala inquired anxiously. 

“No, I have not come to tell you that,” Lean 
Wolf assured him. “I have come to tell you that 
our enemies, the Blackf eet, came to our camp. They 
crawled around the village in the dark like dogs. 
We did not hear them. They ran off many ponies. 
Sun Bird is going to bring back those ponies. He 
is the leader of a war party. He is going to fight 
the boastful Blackfeet. He wants his brother 
White Otter to go with him.” 

Lean Wolf finished speaking, and looked in- 
quiringly at the young Ogalala war chief. For 
some moments the latter remained silent. He knew 
that a warrior must not speak hastily, or pledge 
himself too eagerly. Although his heart beat 
wildly at the thought of joining his friend in a 
war expedition against the Blackfeet, he carefully 
concealed his emotion lest he might lose respect in 
the eyes of the stern Minneconjoux scout. Then, 
after the proper interval, White Otter replied: 

“Lean Wolf, tell my brother Sun Bird that I 
will go with him to fight the Blackfeet,” he said, 
quietly. 

“It is good,” replied Lean Wolf. 

“See, pretty soon it will be dark,” said White 
Otter. “You must go with me to my people.” 

11 


THE WAR TRAIL 

“No, I will go back,” Lean Wolf told him. “I 
was going to your village to find you. Then I saw 
you here. It is good. I have brought you the 
words of your brother Sun Bird. It is what I set 
out to do. I have done it. Now I will turn back. 
Sun Bird is waiting.” 

“Go, my brother,” replied White Otter. “Tell 
Sun Bird that I will come to meet him at the end 
of three suns. If I do not come then he must wait 
one sun more. Then if I do not come he will know 
that something bad has happened to me. Now I 
am going away.” 

They parted without further ceremony, riding 
away into the twilight in opposite directions. Once 
they had separated neither looked back. After he 
had ridden a short distance, however, White Ot- 
ter raised his head and uttered the wild, piercing 
war cry of the Dacotahs. It echoed defiantly across 
the plain, and the young war chief thrilled at the 
sound. Then, after a short silence, it was an- 
swered from the west. White Otter laughed glee- 
fully as he raced his pony toward the Sioux camp. 


CHAPTER II 


OFF ON THE WAR TRAIL 

W HEN White Otter reached the Sioux camp 
he rode directly to the lodge of old Wolf 
Robe, the famous Ogalala war chief. 

4 ‘Ho, grandfather, see, I have brought you some 
meat,” he cried gayly. 

“Ho, I see that you have killed a fat young 
buck,” said Wolf Robe, as his eyes lighted with 
pleasure. “Come, woman, cut some meat.” 

At his command, old Singing Wind, the grand- 
mother of White Otter, came from the lodge. 
White Otter dragged the buck from his pony. 
Then, as Singing Wind called some of the younger 
women to help her, White Otter asked if he might 
talk with Wolf Robe. 

“Yes, my son, come into the lodge and sit down 
with me,” said Wolf Robe. 

The old chief listened attentively while White 
Otter described his unusual adventure with the 
lynx. Then he told of his meeting with Lean Wolf, 
13 


THE WAR TRAIL 

the Minneconjoux scout, and the message which 
the latter had brought from Sun Bird. Wolf Robe 
looked sharply at his grandson. 

“I am going with Sun Bird to fight the Black- 
feet/ ’ declared White Otter. 

Wolf Robe nodded understandingly, but made 
no reply. For a long time he gazed thoughtfully 
at his battle-scarred war shield which hung on a 
tripod of poles at the rear of the lodge. It ap- 
peared as if the aged war leader was recalling his 
own glorious achievements on the war trail in the 
days of his youth. White Otter waited patiently 
for him to speak. 

“It is good,” Wolf Robe said, finally. “The 
voice of a friend travels far. The ears of a Da- 
cotah are open for the words of a friend. Sun 
Bird has called you. He is your friend. You must 
go.” 

Having given this advice, Wolf Robe again sub- 
sided into silent meditation. As White Otter rose 
to leave, however, his grandfather motioned for 
him to be seated. 

“Wait, my son, I have some words for you,” he 
said. 

“It is good,” replied White Otter. 

“You say that you are going to fight the Black- 
feet, ’ ’ said W olf Robe. ‘ ‘ Those people are strong. 
14 


OFF ON THE WAR TRAIL 
They are braver than the boastful Pawnees. I 
have fought with them many times. When I was 
a young man I was taken to their village. They 
kept me there many moons. Those were bad days. 
Then I got away. After that I fought many battles 
against those people. Once I went to their camp, 
and took away some ponies. It was a hard thing 
to do. Yes, my son, the Blackfeet are great war- 
riors. Well, I have told you about them. Now 
you can tell our brothers, the Minneconjoux, about 
it. I believe you will have a big fight to get back 
those ponies. My son, you are a Dacotah. It is 
enough. I have spoken. Go ! * ’ 

The following day, at sunrise, White Otter set 
out to join the Minneconjoux war party. He was 
dressed and decorated for the war trail. Naked 
above the waist, he had daubed and streaked his 
face, chest and arms with yellow clay. A great 
war bonnet of eagle plumes proclaimed his rank 
as a famous Ogalala war chief. His dress con- 
sisted of buckskin leggings, buffalo-hide mocca- 
sins, a buckskin breechcloth, and a silky cow buf- 
falo robe for protection against wind and storm. 
He carried a wolfskin case containing his bow and 
arrows, a flint knife in a buckskin sheath, his buf- 
falo-hide war shield, and a weasel-skin pouch 
containing his fire sticks and some dried meat. 
15 


THE WAR TRAIL 


Mounted upon his best war pony, the dashing 
young warrior made a striking appearance as he 
rode proudly from the great Sioux camp. 

Many friends shouted good wishes from the 
edge of the village. White Otter turned his 
pony, and answered them with the thrilling war- 
cry of the Dacotahs. Then he raced away toward 
the west. 

Once beyond range of the camp, however, 
White Otter drew his pony to a walk, and care- 
fully scanned the plain. He had little fear of en- 
countering foes so near the Ogalala village, but 
he determined to take every precaution. A small 
band of antelope were feeding far away toward 
the south, and as they seemed to be the only living 
creatures on the vast expanse of plain White Ot- 
ter urged his pony into a canter and proceeded on 
his way. 

It was a glorious day in early summer. The 
sky was blue and cloudless. The prairie was dot- 
ted with flowers. Birds sang gayly from the 
thickets. The air was perfumed with the fra- 
grance of blossoms, the sweet aroma of growing 
grass, and the faint, spicy scent of distant sage. 

White Otter rode on his way in high spirits. He 
was carefree, and happy, and eager for adven- 
ture. The fact that he was about to expose him- 
16 


OFF ON THE WAR TRAIL 
self to the perils of the war trail caused him 
slight concern. He had implicit confidence in the 
ability and courage of his tribesmen, the fearless 
Minneconjoux, and he had little doubt that their 
expedition against the powerful Blackfeet would 
be entirely successful. The thought of being in- 
jured or killed in the adventure never entered his 
mind. If it had he would have wasted little time 
upon it, as he had long since learned to scoff at 
danger, and to accept injury and death as inevit- 
able possibilities in the life of every warrior. 

Toward the end of the day White Otter came in 
sight of a familiar little grove of aspens which 
marked a former camp site. He had encountered 
a company of Ute warriors at that spot the pre- 
vious year, and he was somewhat suspicious of it. 
It offered a splendid hiding place to foes, and the 
wily young Sioux determined to make sure that 
the place was unoccupied before he ventured within 
arrow range. He stopped at a safe distance out 
on the plain, and watched the grove with consider- 
able anxiety. Then, as he saw nothing to arouse 
his suspicions, he rode slowly about the camp site, 
looking for fresh pony tracks. He soon discovered 
them. They led away from the grove. White 
Otter dismounted, and studied them with great 
care. He saw that it was the trail of a single 
17 


THE WAR TRAIL 

pony, and the tracks were several days old. Hav- 
ing learned that much, he walked slowly ahead of 
his horse, watching carefully to discover where 
the trail had entered the grove. 

“Perhaps it was Lean Wolf,” he told himself. 

He soon learned otherwise, as the trail ap- 
proached the grove from the south. White Otter 
followed the tracks a short distance out on the 
plain, and found evidence which convinced him that 
the pony had carried a rider. As there seemed 
little to he gained by following the trail farther 
in that direction, he turned and followed it to the 
grove. 

The camp site was unoccupied, and as there was 
a spring, and plenty of grass for his horse, White 
Otter decided to stop there for the night. He 
picketed his pony, and then began to examine the 
place for signs. The ashes from a small tire, and 
some charred bones scattered near by, told him 
that some one had spent the night at that spot 
several days before. He worked diligently to find 
a clew to the identity of the traveler, but found 
nothing which would tell him what he wished to 
know. The little mound of ashes, the remnants of 
a meal, and the pony tracks were his only clews. 

The fact that the unknown horseman had come 
from the south aroused White Otter’s interest. 

18 


OFF ON THE WAR TRAIL 
Both the Pawnees and the Utes lived to the south- 
ward. As he had already encountered a war party 
of the latter at the grove he wondered if it was a 
favorite stopping place for those mysterious foes. 
However, as the signs were at least two days old, 
the possibility caused him little concern. 

Having finished his reconnaissance, White Ot- 
ter seated himself at the edge of the grove to watch 
the plain. The sun had already set, and the pur- 
ple evening shadows were creeping out of the east. 
The prairie appeared lifeless. The Sioux was at 
a loss to account for the scarcity of game. He 
feared that foes of some sort had driven it from 
the locality. The thought suggested the possibil- 
ity that the lone rider was a scout, loitering be- 
hind a hunting party to watch for enemies. 

At dark White Otter returned to his pony. He 
feared to make a fire, lest the gleam might betray 
him to his foes. He sat beside the little spring, 
and ate several cakes of pemmican, composed of 
dried meat and berries, which he had brought for 
just such an emergency. 

Before he ventured to sleep, White Otter re- 
turned to the edge of the plain, and spent a long 
time listening for a warning of approaching en- 
emies. The howling of some distant prairie wolves, 
the gentle rustling of the aspens, and an occasional 
19 


THE WAR TRAIL 

grunt from his pony were the only sounds. He 
continued to listen, however, until the night was 
half gone. Then he returned to the camp site, and 
lay down to sleep. 

Dawn was just breaking when White Otter was 
suddenly awakened by the snorting of his pony. 
Seizing his bow, he moved cautiously to the edge 
of the grove. A buck antelope was standing 
within easy bowshot. It had scented the pony, 
and stopped to investigate. Unable to resist the 
temptation, WTiite Otter drove his arrow through 
its heart. It was a yearling in prime condition, 
and he cut a choice steak from the carcass. Then, 
as the light strengthened, and he saw no evidence 
of foes, he made a tiny fire and broiled the ante- 
lope meat. He ate heartily, and gave thanks to 
Wakantunka, the Great Mystery, for sending him 
food. 

Shortly after sunrise White Otter resumed his 
journey toward the Minneconjoux camp. As the 
pony tracks led in that direction he followed them 
with keen interest. If the lone horseman really 
were a hostile scout, White Otter knew that to fol- 
low him would be the surest and safest way of lo- 
cating any enemies who might be in the vicinity. 
He kept a sharp watch, therefore, and approached 
the knolls and ridges with great caution. 

20 


OFF ON THE WAR TRAIL 

It was midday before he saw anything to make 
him suspicions. Then he discovered a dense cloud 
of dust rising behind a slight elevation of the plain. 
He immediately stopped to watch it. It suggested 
two possibilities — a herd of frightened buffaloes 
or a company of horsemen. White Otter longed 
to peep over the top of the ridge, but he realized 
that it would be folly to take the risk until he knew 
what was before him. He knew that hostile scouts 
might be watching from that spot, and the pos- 
sibility made him cautious. 

6 ‘ Perhaps some one is hunting buffaloes,’ ’ he 
said. 

Realizing that he might have been seen, White 
Otter looked for a place of concealment. The 
plain was open and bare of shelter, however, and 
there was no chance to hide. He determined to 
remain where he was, hoping that something might 
appear along the crest of the ridge. 

It was soon evident that whatever was raising 
the dust was moving rapidly toward the north. 
White Otter felt quite certain that it was a herd 
of buffaloes in wild flight. Perhaps they were 
pursued by wolves, which were always loitering 
about the herds at that season to prey upon the 
young calves. It was just as probable, however, 
21 


THE WAR TRAIL 

that a hunting party of foes had invaded the great 
Sioux hunting grounds. 

“Well, I will wait here and see what comes of 
it, ,, declared White Otter. 

The dust cloud finally faded out some distance 
farther toward the north. White Otter was per- 
plexed. He was undecided as to what he should 
do. The ridge extended like a barrier directly 
across his path, and it would be necessary to cross 
it to continue his journey. Still, he realized the 
peril of venturing within bow range. 

White Otter waited a long time, and then finally 
turned his pony toward the south, and rode along 
parallel with the ridge. Having seen nothing 
which would lead him to suspect enemies, he 
planned to cross the ridge some distance to the 
• southward. When he believed that he had gone 
a sufficient distance, he turned and approached the 
ridge. As he finally came within arrow range he 
stopped and searched the top of the slope for signs 
of foes. Although he failed to discover them, he 
realized that they might be lying just below the 
top of the ridge, in which event it would be im- 
possible to see them. He rode forward with great 
caution, therefore, and was prepared to flee at the 
first hint of danger. 

White Otter had actually begun to climb the slope 

22 


OFF ON THE WAR TRAIL 
when he was startled by a chorus of whoops and 
yells, and turning toward the left he saw a com- 
pany of horsemen racing toward him. He lashed 
his pony up the slope and crossed the ridge. Then 
he rode furiously toward the west 

The maneuver completely fooled the Pawnees 
who had expected him to turn down the ridge and 
flee in the opposite direction. Their confusion 
gave White Otter a chance to get beyond arrow 
range before they dashed over the ridge in pursuit 
of him. He looked over his shoulder and counted 
eight riders whom he instantly recognized as Paw- 
nees. His eyes flashed dangerously as he thought 
of those hated foes. 

White Otter was holding his lead over his pur- 
suers when he suddenly saw a solitary rider gal- 
lop from a little grove of trees, and race diagon- 
ally across the plain in an effort to intercept him. 
The Pawnee was mounted on a particularly fast 
little buckskin, and White Otter realized that un- 
less he swerved from his course he would soon 
come within easy bow range of him. The Sioux 
however, refused to give way. 

“I will kill that man,” WRite Otter declared, 
grimly. 

The other Pawnees had failed to come within 
bowshot, and although they were yelling fiercely, 
23 


THE WAR TRAIL 

and forcing their ponies to the limit, White Ot- 
ter gave little attention to them. His eyes were 
fixed on the daring rider who was racing recklessly 
across the plain in an attempt to get in front of 
him. The Pawnee seemed equally intent upon 
watching WLite Otter. The ponies appeared well 
matched, and the race was a thrilling one. 

When they finally came within how range, White 
Otter was sufficiently in the lead to foil the plan 
of the Pawnee. The latter, however, immediately 
began to shoot his arrows, and one of them pene- 
trated deep behind the shoulder of the Sioux pony. 
Mortally wounded, the unfortunate animal made 
one great bound and then crashed to its knees, and 
White Otter was thrown heavily over its head. 

Jarred and stunned, the Sioux staggered to his 
feet to find the Pawnee almost upon him. Quick 
to realize his peril, White Otter dropped behind 
his dying pony as the Pawnee shot his arrow. The 
next moment he drove his own arrow through the 
body of his foe, as the latter rode at him with his 
war club raised for the fatal stroke. As the Paw- 
nee toppled to the plain, White Otter sprang for- 
ward and seized the bewildered pony. An instant 
later he was racing away through a volley of Paw- 
nee arrows. 

Enraged at the fate of their comrade, the Paw- 

24 


OFF ON THE WAR TRAIL 
nees were risking their necks to overtake the Sioux. 
White Otter feared that at any moment either he 
or the captured pony would he pierced by their 
arrows. In their frenzy, however, they shot 
wildly, and their arrows flew wide of the mark. 
White Otter lashed the Pawnee pony without mercy 
in an effort to place himself beyond arrow range. 
He was astonished at the speed and stamina of the 
buckskin, and he soon realized that it was the equal 
of the horse he had lost. The discovery gave him 
confidence. A glance backward told him that two 
of his pursuers were steadily losing ground, and 
he was holding his lead against the others. He 
was still within arrow range, however, and he 
crouched low upon the buckskin, and urged it to 
still greater efforts. It responded nobly, and the 
fierce yells from his enemies convinced him that 
they were falling farther behind. The Pawnee pony 
was speeding over the plain with great bounds, 
and White Otter was forced to admit that his 
favorite war pony would have been sorely tried to 
maintain the pace. 

Having begun to increase his lead, White Otter 
took hope. The little buckskin had won his con- 
fidence, and he had little fear of being overtaken. 
The day was far spent, and he believed that he 
would have little difficulty in keeping well ahead 
25 


THE WAR TRAIL 

of his pursuers until darkness came to his aid. 
Then he knew that it would be a simple task to 
shake them from his trail. Feeling sure of escape, 
therefore, he sat erect and shook his bow defiantly 
at the helpless Pawnees. They replied with wild 
yells of rage, and White Otter laughed mockingly. 

The Pawnees continued the chase until darkness 
finally blotted them from sight. Then White Ot- 
ter turned sharply from his course, and rode di- 
rectly toward the north. Feeling confident that 
the maneuver would baffle his foes, he slackened 
the pace of his pony to an easy canter. Thus he 
rode until the night was half gone, and then he 
stopped and dismounted from the tired little buck- 
skin. 

Fearing that the Pawnees might continue to 
search for him, WThite Otter made no attempt to 
sleep. He sat close beside his pony, watching and 
listening for a warning of his foes. He hoped 
that if they failed to find him before daylight they 
would abandon the pursuit rather than venture 
farther into the Minneconjoux hunting grounds. 

Shortly before daylight White Otter mounted 
his pony and rode away toward the west. Having 
heard nothing from the Pawnees he felt quite cer- 
tain that he had thrown them from his trail. His 
confidence was rudely shaken, however, when he 
26 


OFF ON THE WAR TRAIL 
suddenly heard the sharp, husky hark of the little 
gray fox a short distance at his left. A few mo- 
ments afterward a horse whinnied, and before he 
conld interfere the little buckskin replied. 

4 ‘That is bad,” White Otter murmered, un- 
easily. 

He was fearful and perplexed. The signal was 
a favorite one among the Sioux, and still under 
the circumstances he mistrusted it. He waited, 
therefore, listening anxiously to locate whoever 
confronted him. In a few moments the call was 
repeated at his right. He knew that either friends 
or foes were on both sides of him. At length he 
answered the challenge. A voice sounded from the 
darkness. 

“Ho, Dacotah.” 

“Ho, my brother Sun Bird,” White Otter re- 
plied, joyfully, as he recognized the voice of his 
friend. 

Then Sun Bird and his brother Little Raven rode 
forward to meet him. The three young warriors 
had shared many perilous adventures, and they 
greeted one another with boyish enthusiasm. Then 
Sun Bird repeated the call of the little gray fox 
three times in quick succession, and fifteen grim 
Minneconjoux warriors came to join them. 

“Lean Wolf told us about this thing,” Sun Bird 

27 


THE WAR TRAIL 

explained. 4 4 Come, Lean Wolf, here is White Otter, 
tell him about it.” 

4 ‘Ho, my brother,” said Lean Wolf, as he rode 
np beside White Otter. 

“Ho, my brother Lean Wolf,” White Otter re- 
plied, heartily. 

“When I was riding back to my people I saw 
some Pawnee hunters,” explained Lean Wolf. 
“They saw me, but I was a long ways off. They 
did not come after me. I told my people about it. 
Snn Bird said, 4 It is bad. Those Pawnees may kill 
White Otter. Perhaps we can help him. Come, 
my friends, who will go with me to find White 
Otter V That is how we came here.” 

“It is good,” said White Otter. “The brave 
Minneconjoux are my brothers. I believe when 
the Pawnees heard yonr ponies they ran away. 
But see, my friends, I am riding one of their 
ponies. It is very fast. I will tell you how I 
come to have it.” 

The Minneconjoux listened with great interest 
while White Otter told of his adventure with the 
Pawnees. When he finished speaking there were 
many exclamations of approval from the stem 
warriors who had gathered about him. 

“White Otter, you have done a good thing,” de- 
clared Sun Bird. 4 ‘ See, it is getting light. Come, 
28 


OFF ON THE WAR TRAIL 
we will go and tell our people how yon fooled the 
boastful Pawnees / 9 

They turned their ponies toward the west, and 
rode away singing boastfully of White Otter’s tri- 
umph over the Pawnees. 


CHAPTER in 


THE COUNCIL FIRE 

L ATE the second day the Sioux came in sight of 
the great Minneconjoux camp. It was situ- 
ated beside a wide stream that flowed down from 
great snowy peaks farther to the westward. The 
little company of riders stopped on the summit of 
a grassy knoll and looked with pride on the great 
circle of lodges which dotted the plain. Their 
pride was somewhat humbled, however, by the ab- 
sence of the vast herd of ponies which usually were 
to be seen grazing near the village. The few 
horses that had escaped the Blackfeet raid were 
carefully guarded within the camp. 

The riders had already been discovered and rec- 
ognized by watchers at the edge of the village, 
and a company of horsemen was soon racing across 
the plain to meet them. 

“See! my people are coming to take you to 
their village/ ’ Sun Bird told White Otter. 

As the Minneconjoux dashed up to them White 
Otter recognized several old friends in the com- 
30 


THE COUNCIL EIRE 

pany who had come oat to welcome him. There 
was Feather Hog, a famous scout, with whom he 
had shared a number of thrilling adventures ; and 
Sitting Eagle, another great scout, was in the 
party. Then there was Kicking Bull, a renowned 
hunter, whom White Otter had saved from death 
in a buffalo stampede. All those men greeted the 
famous young Ogalala chief with great respect, 
and his heart filled with pride as he realized the 
esteem in which he was held by those renowned 
warriors. 

“You have come to help us fight the Blackfeet,” 
said Feather Hog. “It is good. We will do some 
big things.’ ’ 

“I was going with my brother Sun Bird to find 
you, but the great chief Curly Horse asked me to 
stay behind,” explained Kicking Bull. “Some of 
our young men saw smoke over near the moun- 
tains, and we were afraid that the Blackfeet were 
coming back. That is why I held back. ” 

“It is good,” declared White Otter. 

As the horsemen approached the camp the Min- 
neconjoux began to shout the name of White Otter 
and to sing songs of welcome. The daring ex- 
ploits of the young Ogalala war chief had made 
him famous throughout the great Hacotah nation, 
and the Minneconjoux were prepared to honor him 
31 


THE WAR TRAIL 


with the courtesies due a great chief. When he 
reached the edge of the village he was met by a 
delegation of noted warriors who led him through 
the camp, so that all the people might have a 
chance to welcome him. 

“See, here is White Otter !” cried the Minnecon- 
joux. “It is White Otter, the great chief of the 
Ogalalas. It is White Otter, the great war leader. 
See, White Otter, our lodges are open. We have 
cooked much meat. You must come to our lodges, 
and eat with us.” 

Men, women and children followed behind his 
pony, as his escort led him toward the lodge of the 
famous chief, Curly Horse. The Minneconjoux 
war chief was waiting to receive him. Beside him 
stood Rain Crow, the noted Minneconjoux medi- 
cine man, who was the father of Sun Bird and Lit- 
tle Raven. The most renowned men of the tribe 
composed the company which Curly Horse had 
summoned to greet the Ogalala. They were dressed 
in their choicest possessions and they made a 
splendid appearance. Each of them wore the cov- 
eted war bonnet of eagle plumes, and carried his 
coupstick with a record of his achievements on the 
war trail. It was a notable gathering, and White 
Otter thrilled with pride as he looked upon those 
splendid men of the great Dacotah nation. 

32 


THE COUNCIL FIRE 

Curly Horse, the chief, was particularly impos- 
ing. He was a middle-aged man, tall, and of pow- 
erful physique, with stern features, and steady, 
penetrating eyes. His voice was deep and com- 
manding, and he carried himself with the pride 
and dignity appropriate to his rank. He wore a 
great headdress of eagle feathers which extended 
to the ground. Each feather was tipped with a 
small tuft of hair taken from the scalps of his foes. 
His buckskin shirt was decorated with weasel tails, 
and mystic symbols traced with colored porcupine 
quills. His buckskin breeches were deeply fringed, 
and ornamented with porcupine quills and elk 
teeth. A breastplate composed of the leg bones 
of deer covered his breast. About his neck was a 
necklace of bear claws. His moccasins were of 
buffalo hide, beautifully decorated with porcupine 
quills and colored grass. Over his arm he carried 
a magnificent robe of the grizzly bear. 

“ White Otter, you have come to my lodge — it is 
good, ’ * said Curly Horse. 6 ‘ These great warriors 
have come here to meet you. Many moons have 
passed since you came here before. My people 
have talked about you. They wanted you to come 
back. Now I will tell you that we feel good because 
you have come here.” 

“I have listened to the words of the great chief, 

33 


THE WAR TRAIL 


Curly Horse, ’ 9 replied White Otter. ‘ ‘ They make 
me feel good. I will keep them in my heart. The 
Minneconjoux are my brothers. When my brothers 
call, I come. My brother Sun Bird called me. I 
am here. I am going with my brothers to fight the 
Blackfeet. We will bring back many ponies.’ ’ 

As White Otter ceased speaking Curly Horse 
glanced at Rain Crow and the famous medicine 
man stepped forward to greet the Ogalala. 

Rain Crow appeared older and less robust than 
his chief, but he, too, was of striking appearance. 
His face was seamed and scarred, and his ha * 
was streaked with gray. His eyes, however, flashed 
with the fire of youth. He wore a large wolfskin 
cap decorated with a great pair of buffalo horns. 
His face was painted with white clay. His hair 
was divided into two braids bound with otter skin. 
His buckskin shirt and breeches were decorated 
with mysterious medicine symbols. About his 
neck was a necklace of sacred charms or tokens, 
each believed to possess some strange power which 
would aid him in overcoming the Evil Spirits, and 
preserve him from the attacks of his foes. In his 
right hand he carried the sacred medicine pipe. 
Over his left arm was a handsome robe of wolf- 
skins. 

“ White Otter, Curly Horse has spoken,” said 

34 


THE COUNCIL FIRE 

Rain Crow. “Now I will give yon some words. 
I feel good when I see yon here. Yon are a yonng 
man, bnt yon are a great chief. I believe yon will 
do something big when yon meet the boastfnl 
Blackfeet. White Otter, yon say that Snn Bird and 
Little Raven are yonr brothers. It is good. I 
will make yon my son. My son, the lodge of Rain 
Crow is open for yon. I have spoken/ * 

“Rain Crow, yon are a great Medicine Person / ’ 
replied White Otter. “Yon have done some big 
things. I have heard my people talk abont yon. 
It is trae that Snn Bird and Little Raven are my 
brothers. Yon have called me yonr son. It is a 
great thing. I feel good abont it. I will tell my 
people abont it. It will make them feel big. My 
father, I will bring yon some ponies from the 
Blackfeet camp. I have finished/ ’ 

Many other noted warriors made speeches prais- 
ing the ability and conrage of the yonng Ogalala, 
and welcoming him to the Minneconjoux camp. 
When the ceremony was finally conclnded Snn Bird 
escorted White Otter to the lodge of Rain Crow. 

“Now I will tell yon how the Blackfeet ran off 
all those ponies / 9 Snn Bird said, when they were 
alone. 

“Yes, tell me abont it,” nrged White Otter. 
“We were dancing the Buffalo Dance,” said 
35 


THE WAR TRAIL 

Sun Bird. “My father was singing the Medicine 
Songs. The people were sitting near the fire. 
The fast war ponies were tied near the lodges, but 
many good hunting ponies were out on the plain. 
We left them there because our scouts did not see 
any signs of enemies. Only a few boys were watch- 
ing those ponies. Well, while the people were danc- 
ing and singing we heard a great noise. There 
were many shouts. Then we heard many ponies 
running. Pretty soon a boy rode into the village. 
He was shouting, ‘The Blackfeet! The Blackfeet! 
They have run off the ponies V Then we jumped 
upon the war ponies, and were going out to chase 
the Blackfeet, but Curly Horse held us back. 
‘Wait!’ shouted Curly Horse. ‘Perhaps it is a 
trick. Perhaps a great war party is about to rush 
into the camp. We will watch, and see what comes 
of it . 9 We knew that those were good words, and 
we waited to guard the camp. Well, no one came. 
Then we knew that the Blackfeet had gone away 
with the ponies. When it got light one of the boys 
came back. His pony fell down and died when he 
came into the village. He rode a long ways to get 
away from the Blackfeet. The other boy did not 
come back. The Blackfeet must have carried him 
away.” 

“Who is he?” inquired White Otter. 

36 


THE COUNCIL FIRE 

“He is Dancing Rabbit,” Sun Bird told him. 

“His father was Lame Wolf. He was killed by 
our enemies, the Crows. His mother fell into the 
water, and was carried away by the fierce Water 
Monsters. Old Spotted Face is his grandfather. 
He feels very bad about this thing.” 

“I know Spotted Face,” said White Otter. 
“He is a great man. We must try to help him.’* 

“Perhaps we will find Dancing Rabbit in the 
Blackfeet camp,” replied Sun Bird. 

The day had already ended, and as the evening 
shadows fell upon the camp the Minneconjoux be- 
gan preparations for the great war dance. A large 
fire was lighted in the center of the village, and 
the entire tribe assembled to honor the men who 
were going to fight the Blackfeet. The warriors 
who had enlisted in the war party marched noisily 
about the camp, singing their war songs, and 
shouting boastful threats against their foes. As 
they finally approached the council fire they were 
greeted with wild yells of approval from the great 
company who awaited them. Then all subsided 
into respectful silence as Curly Horse and the prin- 
cipal chiefs of the tribe walked solemnly into the 
council circle. 

After the chief and his escort had taken posi- 
tions, the warriors lined up before him and waited 
37 


THE WAR TRAIL 

for him to address them. He looked upon them 
with pride and affection. Most of them were yonng 
men in the prime of their youth, and their bold, 
flashing eyes and fearless faces proclaimed their 
conrage. They were led by Snn Bird who had or- 
ganized the war party. He called White Otter to 
stand beside him, and the Minneconjoux mur- 
mered approval of the honor. 

“ My brothers, I see that yon are ready for war,” 
said Cnrly Horse. “You are going to fight the 
Blackfeet. It is good. They are our enemies. 
They have carried off many of our ponies. Yon 
must bring them back. Yon must also bring some 
good Blackfeet ponies. Perhaps yon will find 
Dancing Rabbit in the Blackfeet camp. Then yon 
must carry him away. Spotted Face is waiting 
for him. I will not tell yon how to fight. Yon are 
Dacotahs. It is enough. Now I will ask Rain 
Crow to give yon some words .’ 9 

Before speaking, Rain Crow drew an ember from 
the fire and lighted the sacred medicine pipe. Then 
he puffed the smoke toward the heavens, toward 
the earth, and toward each of the four winds. He 
kept up a weird, high-pitched chant, and tossed 
small handfuls of dried sweet grass into the flames. 
It was evident that he was asking success for the 
war party, and the Minneconjonx watched him 
38 


THE COUNCIL FIRE 

with grave interest. When he had completed the 
ceremony, he stood some time staring fixedly at the 
stars. Then he addressed the war company. 

“My friends, you have seen me smoke the great 
Medicine Pipe,” he said. “It is good. It will 
help you. I have asked Wakantunka, the Great 
Mystery, to make you strong. I have asked the 
Good Spirits to help you. I have asked the Bad 
Spirits to do you no harm. I believe everything 
will be good. I believe you will overcome the 
Blackfeet. Listen, my friends, I hear the noise of 
many ponies running. Yes, yes, those are Sioux 
ponies. Yes, I hear some Blackfeet ponies. They 
are running toward the Minneconjoux camp. I 
see these brave young men riding behind them.” 

His prophecy roused the Minneconjoux. Men, 
women and children united their voices in the war 
cry of the Dacotahs. It rang through the camp, 
and echoed off across the plain as a challenge to 
their foes. Rain Crow laughed, and shook his 
clenched hand toward the north. 

“Hi, you Blackfeet people, do you hear that 
noise?” he cried, excitedly. “Pretty soon you will 
know what it means. Then you will shake, and 
cry like young deer when they hear the wolf cry . * 1 
His words again threw the people into a frenzy 
39 


THE WAR TRAIL 


of excitement. The war cry again rang out across 
the plain, and before the sound had died away the 
warriors had assembled for the war dance. They 
formed a large circle about the fire, and stood 
awaiting the word from Sun Bird, their leader. A 
number of aged men had come forward with the 
war drums, and taken places near the dancers. A 
hush fell upon the vast assemblage, as the Minne- 
conjoux watched eagerly for the interesting spec- 
tacle to begin. 

Then Sun Bird raised his voice in the familiar 
strains of the great war song, and the dance began. 
Keeping time with the solemn, rhythmical throb- 
bing of the war drums, the dancers moved slowly 
about the fire chanting the boastful words of the 
war song, and flourishing their weapons. They had 
not circled many times about the fire, however, be- 
fore they cast off restraint, and flung themselves 
into ecstasies of the dance with wild abandon. The 
war song was forgotten, as the dancers began to 
shout their boasts and threats against the power- 
ful foes in the north. Each moment added to their 
excitement, and as the war drums throbbed in 
shorter, quicker beats, the dancers quickened their 
steps to hold the rhythm. Although each held his 
place in the circle, they had abandoned all attempt 
to dance in unison, and each man was interpreting 
40 


THE COUNCIL FIRE 

the spirit of the dance to suit himself. All, how- 
ever, kept time to the beats of the war drams, and 
the droning chants of the aged mnsicians. As 
quick and sinewy as mountain cats, the young war- 
riors pranced about the fire in a frenzy of enthusi- 
asm. Each tried to surpass his fellows in the mad 
antics of the dance, and their maneuvers brought 
yells of approval from the fascinated onlookers. 
At one moment the dancers would stoop near the 
ground, and dance forward with short, mincing 
steps, shading their eyes with their hands, as if 
searching for the trail of their foes. Then they 
would suddenly spring upright and announce their 
success with a piercing whoop. A moment after- 
ward they would leap forward with war club raised 
to deliver the fatal stroke. Then they would begin 
a wild dance about the fallen foe. Some of the 
older warriors carried their coupsticks with the 
trophies won on former war expeditions. As they 
danced they shook these priceless possessions be- 
fore the envious eyes of their tribesmen. Some- 
times one of those dancers would drive his coup- 
stick in the ground while he and several compan- 
ions danced wildly about it, rushing up to touch it 
and reciting some great achievement as they did so. 
Then all would suddenly stand transfixed in their 
places while they raised their faces toward the 
41 


THE WAR TRAIL 

stars, and united their voices in the piercing 
Dacotah war cry. 

The spectacle was weird and fascinating. The 
grotesque contortions of the dancers in the lurid 
glare of the fire, the fierce expression on their faces, 
the solemn throbbing of the war drums, the pic- 
turesque assemblage of spectators, the dim, ghost- 
ly outlines of the lodges in the shadows, the gaunt, 
wolflike dogs skulking along the edge of the camp, 
made a striking impression on the memory. 

White Otter, as a famous war chief of the Oga- 
lalas, was entitled to stand with Curly Horse and 
the prominent men of the tribe. He declined the 
honor, however, and took his place in the circle of 
dancers. The Minnecon j oux watched him with ap- 
proving eyes as he threw himself into the spirit of 
the dance. When the ceremony was finally brought 
to an end toward daylight, Curly Horse called the 
Ogalala to his lodge. 

White Otter, you are a great warrior,’ ’ said 
Curly Horse. ‘ ‘ A great warrior must have a good 
horse. The Pawnees have killed your war pony. 
It is true that you have taken a good pony from 
those boastful people. Well, you are a Dacotah, 
and you must ride a Dacotah pony. I am going 
to give you one of my fastest ponies to ride to the 
Blackfeet camp. I have spoken.” 

42 


THE COUNCIL EIRE 

“Curly Horse, you have done a big thing,” 
White Otter replied, gratefully. “You are a great 
chief, and I know that you have the fastest ponies. 
Yes, I will ride your pony to the Blackfeet camp.” 

“It is good,” declared Curly Horse. 

When White Otter told Sun Bird of the gift 
which he had received from Curly Horse, Sun Bird 
beamed with pleasure. He believed that there were 
few, if any, ponies in the entire Dacotah nation 
which possessed the speed and endurance of those 
owned by the great Minneconjoux chief. 

“Perhaps when you ride that horse you will 
leave me far behind,” Sun Bird said, banteringly. 

“Well, my brother, if I get to the Blackfeet camp 
ahead of you I will leave some Blackfeet for you 
to kill,” laughed W^hite Otter. 


CHAPTER IV 


AWAY INTO THE NORTH 


S White Otter and Sun Bird came from the 



A lodge at dawn they found a boy waiting with 
a fiery little piebald pony. 

“Curly Horse has sent you this pony,” said the 
lad, as he passed the lariat to White Otter. 

“Tell the great chief Curly Horse that White 
Otter feels good about this thing,” said the Oga- 
lala. 

1 6 1 know that pony , 9 9 Sun Bird told him. “ It is 
very fast, but it is very wild. You must watch out 
for it.” 

“I will ride it,” White Otter assured him. 

He was no sooner upon its back, however, than 
the hot-tempered little beast began to rear and 
plunge in a manner that would have proved dis- 
astrous to a less expert rider. White Otter, how- 
ever, refused to be thrown, and Sun Bird whooped 
with boyish glee as he capered wildly about the 
rearing pony and shouted encouragement to his 
friend. His shouts soon brought an appreciative 


44 


AWAY INTO THE NORTH 
audience from the lodges, and White Otter realized 
that his reputation as a horseman was at stake. 
He set his sinewy thighs more closely behind the 
shoulders of the plunging piebald, and pulled hard 
on the lariat which was twisted about the animal’s 
lower jaw. The Minneconjoux soon saw that he 
was an expert, and they offered neither criticism 
nor advice. They watched with flashing eyes as 
horse and rider fought for supremacy. Then the 
pony suddenly whirled about and dashed among 
them, and they scattered like a covey of frightened 
quail to avoid the flying hoofs. The piebald bucked 
its way through the center of the camp, with a 
great company of men and boys racing along be- 
hind it and yelling at the top of their voices. Some 
women were broiling meat near the end of the 
village, and as they heard the wild commotion, and 
saw the pony racing directly toward them, they 
fled to the lodges in a panic, crying out that the 
Blackfeet had invaded the camp. 

In the meantime the piebald had collided with a 
number of other high-spirited ponies which were 
tied before the lodges of their owners, and several 
of the animals broke loose and imitated the mad 
antics of the piebald. In a few moments the en- 
tire camp was in an uproar. The barking of the 
dogs, the shouts of the men, the screams of the 
45 


THE WAR TRAIL 


women, and the frightened cries of the children 
mingled in one great din which turned the village 
into bedlam. 

“It is bad,” cried Curly Horse, as he watched 
the disorder from the entrance to his lodge. ‘ ‘ Some 
Evil Spirit must have gone into that horse.” 

The piebald, however, had finally exhausted 
itself. It stood upon trembling legs at the edge 
of the camp, with its head lowered in defeat. White 
Otter reached over, and gently stroked the sweaty 
neck. Then he raised its head and spoke sharply, 
and the piebald gave obedience to its master. He 
rode directly to the lodge of Curly Horse. 

“That is a bad horse,” said Curly Horse. “I 
will give you another pony.” 

“ No, no ! ” cri ed White Otter. ‘ ‘ I will keep this 
pony. It is fast, and strong. It will make a great 
war pony.” 

“Well, I see that you can ride it, so I will say 
no more about it,” replied Curly Horse. 

The wild escapade of the little piebald had 
aroused the camp, and as the members of the war 
party finally rounded up the loose ponies, and as- 
sembled in the center of the village, the entire tribe 
gathered to witness the departure. When the gal- 
lant company was ready to leave, Curly Horse 
came forward to address them. 

46 


AWAY INTO THE NORTH 
“My brothers, you are about to ride away to the 
great Blackfeet camp, ’ 9 he said. ( 1 Before you lies 
a long and dangerous trail. We have many en- 
emies in that country. The Blackfeet are the 
strongest. They are very sly. You must be as 
brave as great Matohota, the bear, and as cunning 
as Tokala, the little gray fox. I see many brave 
warriors among you. I see Sun Bird, your leader. 
He is a great warrior. I see White Otter, the great 
Ogalala chief. I see Little Raven. He is very 
young, but he has done big things. I see Short 
Bear. He is very brave. I see Feather Dog. He 
is a great scout. I see Lean Wolf and Sitting 
Eagle. They have been on many war trails. I 
see many more brave warriors. It is a great war 
party. I believe you will do what you are setting 
out to do. I believe you will bring back many 
ponies. I will ask Wakantunka, the Great Mystery, 
to help you. I will ask our brother, Huya, the 
great war bird, to lead you to the Blackfeet camp. 
Go, my brothers, Curly Horse has spoken .’ 9 

“Curly Horse, you have given us big words,” 
replied Sun Bird. “We will keep them in our 
hearts. We will remember that we are Dacotahs. 
It is enough. We will go.” 

A few moments afterward the war party rode 
from the village. Many of the older warriors who 
47 


THE WAR TRAIL 


were remaining behind to guard the camp accom- 
panied the war party some distance across the 
plain. The old men, the boys, and the women and 
children gathered at the edge of the camp, singing 
the war songs, and calling upon Wakantunka to 
protect their warriors from the fierce and warlike 
Blackfeet. 

Sun Bird asked White Otter to ride with him 
at the head of the company. The youthful Minne- 
conjoux war leader fully realized his responsibil- 
ity, and he was glad to have the aid and counsel 
of the famous young war chief whom he had asked 
to accompany him. 

The war party was not a large one. It contained 
less than a third of the fighting men of the tribe. 
The Minneconjoux feared to send a larger force 
from the village, for they knew that their old ene- 
mies, the Crows, as well as several scouting parties 
of Blackfeet, had recently been seen within a day’s 
travel of the Minneconjoux camp. They deter- 
mined, therefore, to send a small force of picked 
warriors against the Blackfeet in the hope of re- 
covering the stolen ponies, and learning the fate 
of the young Minneconjoux who had been carried 
away. The company chosen for the perilous un- 
dertaking was composed mostly of young warriors 
famous for their courage and fighting ability, and 
48 


AWAY INTO THE NORTH 
a few older veterans, like Lean Wolf and Sitting 
Eagle, whose mature judgment would check the 
reckless impetuosity of their younger companions. 

‘ 4 Well, my brother, how do you feel about this 
thing ?” Sun Bird suddenly asked White Otter, as 
they cantered along in advance of the war party. 

4 4 The Blackfeet are very strong/ ’ White Otter 
replied, thoughtfully. “Wolf Robe, my grand- 
father, has told me about them. I have never 
fought those people. Wolf Robe says that they 
are braver than the Pawnees. Do you know about 
them?” 

“Yes, I have fought against them many times,” 
Sun Bird told him. ‘ ‘ They are the enemies of my 
people. They are brave. Many Buffaloes is their 
chief. He is a great warrior. He rides a mys- 
terious war pony. It is as swift as the wind, and 
as black as the night. Its eyes shine like the little 
lights up there in the High Place. My people be- 
lieve it must be a Medicine Pony. Curly Horse 
would give many good presents for that pony.” 

At that moment their talk was interrupted by the 
appearance of a golden eagle, the war bird of the 
Dacotahs, which was circling slowly some distance 
toward the north. The superstitious Minnecon- 
joux immediately accepted it as a good omen, as 
49 


THE WAR TRAIL 

they recalled the words of Curly Horse, their chief. 

“See, there is Huya, the great war bird,” they 
cried. “Curly Horse has sent him to lead us to 
the Blackfeet camp. Come, Huya, our brother, 
look about you, and show us where our enemies 
are hiding.” 

The eagle, however, soon disappeared into the 
clouds, and the Minneconjoux cried, “Huya has 
gone up there to look around. He is looking for 
the Blackfeet. When he sees them he will fly over 
them, and show us where they are . 9 9 

As they moved farther from the camp Sun Bird 
began to take precautions against the possibility 
of encountering foes. Two scouts were detailed 
on either flank of the war party, and other riders 
dropped back to guard the rear. Sun Bird, WLite 
Otter and Little Raven rode some distance in front. 
Thus the courageous band of Dacotahs made their 
way across the great plain that extended for un- 
known leagues into the northward, the stronghold 
of the mighty Blackfeet nation. 

The day was two thirds gone when White Otter 
suddenly discovered a horseman on the summit of 
a low ridge far away toward the west. He imme- 
diately stopped and showed him to Sun Bird and 
Little Raven. Apparently aware that he had been 
seen, the distant rider began to ride rapidly in a 
50 


AWAY INTO THE NORTH 
circle. It was the signal for danger. Sun Bird 
appeared alarmed. 

“It is one of our scouts / y he said, uneasily. 
“Running Dog and Lean Wolf went that way. 
That man is far away, but I believe he is Lean 
Wolf. He has seen something bad. Come, Little 
Raven, go and find out about it.” 

As Little Raven raced away to meet the scout, 
the main company of riders came up. They, too, 
had discovered the rider on the ridge, and many 
of them were eager to go over there in the hope 
of finding foes. 

“No, that would be foolish,” Sun Bird said, 
firmly. “We will wait here until Little Raven 
comes back and tells us about it. That scout has 
not called us. He is telling us that he has seen 
something. See, Little Raven is a long ways off. 
Pretty soon we will know about this thing. We 
must wait.” 

“It is the only thing to do,” agreed the famous 
warrior, Sitting Eagle. 

They watched anxiously as the scout turned his 
pony down the ridge, and rode to meet Little Ra- 
ven. The distance made positive identification 
difficult, but most of them agreed that it was Lean 
Wolf. When the two riders finally met, the mem- 
bers of the war party watched them with breathless 
51 


THE WAR TRAIL 

interest. They also watched the plain in all di- 
rections for the sndden appearance of foes. Then 
the warriors who had been loitering in the rear 
overtook them. 

“What has happened?” they inquired anx- 
iously. “Who is over there?” 

“Lean Wolf has made the danger signal,” ex- 
plained their comrades. “Little Raven has gone 
over to find out about it. Did you see anything ? 9 ’ 

“We saw some wolves,” replied the scouts. 

“Perhaps they were Pawnees,” suggested Sun 
Bird. 

“No, we saw them running on the plain, and they 
were wolves,” declared High Hawk, one of the 
warriors who had composed the rear guard. 

“See, Little Raven is coming back,” White Ot- 
ter told Sun Bird. “He is riding fast. He has 
something to tell us.” 

“Lean Wolf has gone back to the ridge,” said 
Sun Bird. 

They waited impatiently as Little Raven rode 
toward them at top speed. In the meantime the 
other rider was cantering toward the ridge. When 
he reached it he rode up the low slope and dis- 
appeared over the summit. 

“Lean Wolf has gone to watch something,” de- 
clared his tribesmen. 


52 


AWAY INTO THE NORTH 
When Little Raven finally reached them they 
listened with eager attention while he told Snn 
Bird what he had learned. 

“That man is Lean Wolf,” said Little Raven. 
“He found fresh pony tracks over beyond that 
ridge. They were going the way we are going. 
There were many ponies. They were riding 
ponies. There were no marks of lodge poles. Lean 
Wolf says it must be a war party. He does not 
know who they are. Running Dog is following 
the trail. Lean Wolf says that we must watch 
sharp when night comes. He says that we must 
stop pretty soon at the water place. Then he will 
know where to find us. Perhaps he will come when 
it gets dark. Perhaps he will go to find the camp 
of those people. My brothers, I have brought you 
the words of Lean Wolf.” 

“It is good,” replied Sun Bird. “My friends, 
you have heard the words of our brother, Lean 
Wolf. I believe that some of our enemies are 
over there behind that ridge. Lean Wolf says 
there are many pony tracks. There must be many 
riders. Perhaps it is a big war party. We must 
watch sharp. We will go ahead until we come to 
the water place. Then we will stop. Perhaps 
Lean Wolf will come there after it gets dark.” 

As they were about to resume their way they 

53 


THE WAR TRAIL 

saw one of the scouts from the east riding toward 
them. As he came nearer they recognized him as 
Feather Dog. 

“Why have you stopped ?” Feather Dog in- 
quired, curiously. 

“Lean Wolf found many pony tracks over there 
behind that ridge/ ’ they told him. 

“Perhaps those are the ponies which the Black- 
feet took away,” said Feather Dog. 

“No, the tracks are fresh,” Sun Bird explained. 

‘ ‘ Then we must watch out, ’ 9 declared the famous 
scout. 

“Did you see anything over there?” inquired 
the Minneconjoux. 

“We saw some buffaloes, but they were far 
away,” replied Feather Dog. 

After he had learned where his comrades in- 
tended to stop for the night, he immediately left 
them, and rode away to join his companion, a 
young warrior named Proud Hawk. At the same 
time the war party resumed their way toward the 
north. They were enthusiastic over the possibil- 
ity of an early encounter with their foes, and Sun 
Bird had considerable difficulty in restraining some 
of the younger warriors who were eager to ride 
after the unknown horsemen. His rank as war 
leader, however, gave him authority to command. 
54 


AWAY INTO THE NORTH 
They accepted his orders, therefore, and followed 
him across the plain, chanting their war songs, and 
boasting of the deeds which they pledged them- 
selves to perform. 

The evening shadows were already falling when 
the Sioux finally came in sight of the appointed 
camp site. It was a small water hole in the midst 
of a straggling growth of stunted trees. How- 
ever, as it offered good pasturage for the ponies, 
it was a favorite stopping place. It marked the 
northern boundary of the Minneconjoux hunting 
grounds, and few of even the most venturesome 
hunters cared to risk going farther into the north 
unless accompanied by a strong force of their 
tribesmen. It was dangerous ground, as both the 
Blackfeet and the Crows were constantly roaming 
about those boundless northern plains. 

“Well, my friends, we will stop here until the 
next sun comes up,” said Sun Bird, as he dis- 
mounted from his pony. 


CHAPTER V 


SIOUX SCOUTS 

A LERT to their peril, the Sioux took every 
precaution against an attack. As the twi- 
light slowly faded, and the night shadows settled 
upon the plain, the ponies were picketed in a circle 
about the camp site, and details of warriors were 
appointed to take turns in watching through the 
night. There was no fire, and the evening meal 
consisted of the usual war rations of dried buffalo 
meat and berries. 

The warriors who had been scouting behind the 
war party arrived at the camp site before dark, 
but the scouts who had ridden along the flanks 
failed to appear. The absence of Feather Dog 
and Proud Hawk, who had been scouting toward 
the east, caused considerable comment. The Sioux 
knew that some time might pass before Lean Wolf 
and Running Dog gained the desired information 
about the mysterious horsemen to the westward, 
but they were keenly curious to know what had 
detained Feather Dog and his companion. 

56 


SIOUX SCOUTS 


“Perhaps something bad has happened to them,” 
suggested a young warrior named Many Feathers. 

“No, I do not believe it,” Sun Bird declared, 
confidently. “Feather Dog is a great scout. He 
has been on many war trails. It is hard to catch 
an old wolf. Come, White Otter, you are a great 
war leader. Tell us how you feel about it.” 

“My brothers, what Sun Bird says is true,” de- 
clared Wliite Otter, “Feather Dog is a great scout. 
Perhaps he is trying to find out about something. 
I believe he will come here.” 

Wliile they were talking the familiar bark of the 
little gray fox sounded from the eastward. It was 
speedily answered, and a few moments afterward 
Feather Dog and Proud Hawk rode to the camp 
site. 

“Well, my brother, what did you find?” Sun 
Bird asked Feather Dog. 

“We saw three scouts,” replied Feather Dog. 
“They were far away and they did not see us. We 
hid behind a hill, and watched them a long time. 
Then we followed them. "When it got dark we 
could not find them. They did not make a fire. I 
believe they were looking for enemies.” 

“Do you know who they are?” Sun Bird in- 
quired, eagerly. 


57 


THE WAR TRAIL 


“No, we could not get close enough to find out 
about it,” Feather Dog told him. 

4 ‘ Which way were they going ? ’ * asked Sun Bird. 

“They were going the same way we are going, 
but they were far away toward the place where 
the sun comes up, ’ r replied the scout. 

“My brothers, you have heard the words of 
Feather Dog,” said Sun Bird. “Our enemies are 
on two sides of us. We must be very cautious. 
We will wait here until it gets light. Perhaps 
Lean Wolf will come and tell us something.” 

In the meantime the wily Sioux prepared them- 
selves against the possibility of a sudden attack. 
The camp was surrounded by sharp-eared scouts 
who stationed themselves some distance out on the 
plain to listen for the approach of foes. The 
ponies were picketed inside the circle of warriors, 
who lay upon the plain with their weapons beside 
them. 

Sun Bird and White Otter, however, remained 
awake. The young Minneconjoux war leader was 
anxious to consult his friend concerning the peri- 
lous advance across the Blackfeet hunting grounds. 
The young warriors moved beyond earshot of 
their companions, therefore, and seated them- 
selves to talk. 


58 


SIOUX SCOUTS 


“White Otter, I believe we are in danger/ * said 
Sun Bird. 

“It is true,” White Otter replied, soberly. 
“There are many enemies in this country. I be- 
lieve we will have some big fights before we get to 
the Blackfeet camp.” 

Sun Bird was about to reply when they were 
startled by a strange rumbling noise toward the 
north. They listened a moment in anxious sus- 
spense, and then they leaped to their feet in alarm. 
It sounded like the hoofbeats of many ponies 
bearing down upon the camp site. 

* 6 Call our people ! Call our people ! 9 9 cried Sun 
Bird, as he rushed to arouse the sleeping Minne- 
conjoux. 

At that moment they heard the guards, who had 
been stationed on the plain, racing toward the 
camp. The picketed ponies were plunging and 
snorting, and the alarmed Minneconjoux were 
frantically untying the picket ropes. 

‘ 6 The Blackfeet ! The Blackfeet ! 9 9 they shouted, 
excitedly. 

‘ ‘ Tatanka ! Tatanka ! The buffaloes ! The buf- 
faloes !” cried the sentinels who had been watching 
on the north side of the camp. 

Then the Sioux suddenly realized the truth. A 
vast herd of stampeded buffaloes were thundering 
59 


THE WAR TRAIL 

down upon them. There was not a moment to 
spare. Springing upon the frightened ponies, the 
Sioux rode madly into the night to escape from the 
great mass of panic-stricken beasts behind them. 
The buffaloes were sweeping across the plain with 
the irresistible force of an avalanche, and the 
horsemen knew that only the speed of their ponies 
could save them. They kept close together, and 
rode at a breakneck pace. A false step meant 
destruction for horse and rider, and the Sioux 
made little attempt to guide the agile little beasts 
beneath them. 

Sun Bird and White Otter soon found them- 
selves beside one another at the head of the com- 
pany. The two ponies were running evenly, and 
it was apparent that neither of them had reached 
the limit of its speed. Nevertheless, they were 
well in advance of all the other ponies, and ap- 
peared to be increasing their lead with each stride. 

“That wild horse can run,” laughed Sun Bird 
as his blood tingled with the excitement of the 
race. ‘ i Come, we will see what that pony can do. ’ 9 

“Hi!” shouted White Otter, as Sun Bird sud- 
denly took the lead. 

He had carefully estimated the ability of the 
little roan which Sun Bird rode, and felt sure that 
it was a worthy competitor for the piebald. Now, 
60 


SIOUX SCOUTS 


as Sun Bird applied his rawhide quirt, the roan 
began to show its speed. The piebald, however, 
quickly accepted the challenge, and although White 
Otter made no effort to force it the fiery little beast 
was soon at the shoulder of the roan. Then they 
raced madly through the darkness at a speed which 
few if any of the ponies in the great Dacotah na- 
tion could equal. Sun Bird was leaning forward 
and vigorously applying his whip. White Otter, 
however, was still allowing the piebald to make its 
own pace. Inch by inch it crept steadily forward 
until the roan’s lead was cut to a nose length. 
Then, as he perceived that the roan had reached the 
limit of its powers, WTiite Otter pulled heavily 
against the lower jaw of the piebald. He knew that 
a few more strides would take it into the lead, and 
regard for the pride of his friend made him un- 
willing to claim the victory. 

‘ 6 Listen, ’ ’ he cried, suddenly. 6 6 Our people have 
turned around. Come, we must follow them.” 

“No! No! I see what you are trying to do,” 
Sun Bird cried, impatiently. “Come, let me see 
that pony run.” 

Then the Minneconjoux struck the piebald a 
sharp blow with his quirt, and the marvelous beast 
bounded past him and raced away at a speed which 
astounded its rider. White Otter could scarcely 
61 


THE WAR TRAIL 

believe that he was mounted upon a creature of 
real flesh and blood, for the piebald was rushing 
through the night at a pace which seemed beyond 
the powers of anything mortal. Carried away with 
enthusiasm, the Ogalala applied his quirt for the 
first time, and the piebald reached the limit of its 
speed. White Otter was forced to crouch close 
over the pony’s neck to keep his breath. He was 
dazed by the pace at which he was being carried 
across the plain. It seemed as if he were flying 
through space on the wings of a tempest. 

“It must be a Medicine Horse,” he whispered, 
superstitiously. 

Wlien he finally succeeded in pulling the piebald 
to a canter, he found that he had completely lost 
Sun Bird, and the valiant little roan. He had 
also raced beyond sound of the buffalo herd. The 
piebald was breathing hard, but it showed no signs 
of exhaustion, and Wliite Otter believed that its 
stamina was equal to its speed. Then, as he 
stopped to listen, he heard a signal some distance 
toward the east. He had heard the Minneconjoux 
turn in that direction as Sun Bird forced him into 
the last desperate sprint. It was evident, there- 
fore, that having gained a sufficient lead upon the 
buffaloes, the Minneconjoux were circling back 
toward the camp site. He believed that the signal 
62 


SIOUX SCOUTS 


was from Sun Bird. To reassure him, White Ot- 
ter replied with the hark of the little gray fox. 

“Hi! the buffaloes are coming/ ’ he said, as he 
heard the distant rumble of their hoof beats. 

Realizing that he was directly in their path, 
"White Otter turned his pony toward the east, and 
rode off at a brisk canter. The buffalo herd was 
a long ways behind him, and he had little fear of 
being overtaken. There were other perils, how- 
ever, which caused him more concern. He had 
heard Feather Dog tell of three mysterious riders 
to the eastward, and it was possible that they were 
scouts from a larger company. Therefore, WTiite 
Otter determined to advance with caution. He be- 
lieved that Sun Bird was close at hand, and his 
first thought was to find him. It was not long be- 
fore he overtook him. 

“Ho, my brother, that pony did not come back 
as fast as he went away,” laughed Sun Bird. 

“It is foolish to run when the race is finished,” 
replied White Otter. 

‘ ‘ That is the fastest horse I ever saw , 9 9 Sun Bird 
declared, enthusiastically. 

“Do you believe that this pony could catch that 
great horse of Many Buffaloes, the Blackfeet 
chief?” White Otter asked, eagerly. 

63 


THE WAR TRAIL 

“No,” Sun Bird told him. “There is no Da- 
cotah pony that can catch that horse.” 

White Otter was not so sure about it. He could 
not believe that any horse had greater speed than 
the piebald. He kept his opinion to himself, how- 
ever, as he did not wish to appear boastful before 
his friend. 

“Well, we got away from those buffaloes,” said 
Sun Bird. “Now we must go back to the water 
place. We will find our friends there.” 

Feeling sure that they had passed beyond the 
edge of the great buffalo herd, they began to circle 
toward the camp site. They were riding at an easy 
canter, when they were suddenly halted by the 
howling of a prairie wolf directly ahead of them. 
Determined to take no chances, they listened to 
convince themselves that the call was genuine. 

“Yes, it is Mayash,” declared Sun Bird. 

As White Otter agreed that it really was a wolf 
which had raised the cry, they advanced on their 
way. However, they neither saw nor heard any- 
thing of the skulking gray prowler. It was evi- 
dent that the wolf had slunk away at their ap- 
proach. 

Then as they drew near the camp site the little 
piebald raised its head, and whinnied softly. The 
64 


SIOUX SCOUTS 


cautions yonng Sionx again stopped to investigate. 
They knew that the piebald had canght the scent 
of other ponies. While they waited, listening for 
a clew, the familiar Dacotah signal sonnded within 
bow range of them. 

“It is good,” said Snn Bird. “We have found 
onr people.” 

A few moments later they met the scont who 
had challenged them. He was Hollow Bear, a fa- 
mous Minneconjoux hunter. 

“We have been watching for you,” Hollow 
Bear told them. “There is much buffalo meat at 
the water place. Some of the buffaloes ran against 
the trees. Some fell into the water hole. Some 
were dead. Some we killed. There must have 
been many buffaloes in that herd. The ground is 
all broken up.” 

“Has Lean Wolf come here?” Sun Bird in- 
quired, eagerly. 

“No,” replied Hollow Bear. 

They left the scout, and rode on toward the 
camp site. They found the members of the war 
party lying some distance out on the plain, as the 
camp site was littered with the bodies of dead 
buffaloes. The Sioux said that they had dragged 
several of the great beasts from the pool. 

“It is good that we got away,” said Sun Bird. 
65 


THE WAR TRAIL 

“ Those buffaloes would have pounded us into the 
ground.” 

“Well, there is good meat over there but we can- 
not use it,” complained Sitting Eagle. “There 
are many robes, but there is little hair upon them. ’ ’ 

The Minneconjoux said that they had ridden far 
enough to get a safe distance in front of the herd, 
and then they had turned eastward and circled 
back to the camp site. They seemed rather curi- 
ous to know why Sun Bird and White Otter had 
been so long returning. Those crafty young war- 
riors, however, made no explanation. White Ot- 
ter had no desire to proclaim the superiority of 
his pony, and Sun Bird was quite content to keep 
silent concerning the defeat of his famous little 
roan. 

Dawn was breaking when Running Dog, the com- 
panion of Lean Wolf rode in from the west. The 
war party crowded eagerly about him, asking for 
news of the horsemen whom he and Lean Wolf had 
followed. 

“We followed those people a long ways,” Run- 
ning Dog told them. “"When it got dark we saw 
their fire. We went pretty close. Then we got 
down from our ponies. We turned their heads out 
of the wind so they would not call. I held the 
ponies. Lean Wolf crawled up near the fire. He 
66 


SIOUX SCOUTS 


was away a long time. Then he came back, and 
told me about those people. They are Crows. 
They are carrying meat. It is a great hunting 
party. They are going straight ahead. Lean 
Wolf says that you must watch sharp. Perhaps 
the Crows will send out scouts. Perhaps they will 
see you. Then there will be a tight. Lean Wolf 
says to go straight ahead. We will keep following 
the Crows until we find out where they are going. 
Then we will come and tell you about it. I can- 
not tell you any more.” 

“It is good,” replied Sun Bird. “Tell Lean 
Wolf that we will do as he tells us to do. We will 
keep a sharp watch for our enemies.” 


CHAPTER VI 


THE LONE RIDER 

A FTER Running Dog had left them, Sun Bird 
made preparations to resume their advance 
toward the distant Blackfeet camp. Profiting by 
the warning which the scouts had brought, the cau- 
tious young war leader determined to make every 
provision for the safety of the war party. In ad- 
dition to the two expert scouts riding along each 
flank, Sun Bird appointed a strong rear guard 
under command of Sitting Eagle. Then, as a fur- 
ther precaution against blundering into a trap, 
he asked "White Otter and Little Raven to accom- 
pany him on a reconnaissance far in advance of the 
war party. 

‘ 6 My brothers, you must wait here until we are 
far ahead,” he told the Minneconjoux, as he rode 
away. 

Once beyond sight of their comrades, the 
three young scouts realized that their mission was 
a perilous one. They had little doubt that foes 
were on both sides of them, and it was possible 
68 


THE LONE RIDER 

that the Sioux war party had already been dis- 
covered. In that event there was great probability 
that crafty foes might circle around behind them, 
and separate them from their companions. 

“We mnst watch sharp / 9 cautioned Sun Bird. 

He hoped to lead the war party within an easy 
day’s travel of the Blackfeet camp. Then he 
planned to go into hiding and send scouts under 
cover of the darkness to locate the Blackfeet ponies 
and reconnoiter about the village. In the mean- 
time Sun Bird realized the constant peril of col- 
liding with his enemies. However, he relied upon 
the skill and daring of his scouts to give him timely 
warning of an approaching war party. As they 
were riding cautiously across the plain they again 
saw the war eagle circling high up toward the 
eastward. They stopped and watched it with great 
interest. 

“See! our brother, Huya, has come down out 
of the clouds,” said Sun Bird. “I believe he is 
flying around over there to show us where our 
enemies are hiding.” 

Soon afterward they saw a solitary horseman 
ride over a distant rise of the plain. He quickly 
discovered them, and immediately stopped his 
pony. For some moments he continued to watch 
them. Then he turned about and galloped from 
69 


THE WAR TRAIL 

view. The Sioux also had stopped at sight of the 
stranger, and now that he had disappeared Sun 
Bird was at a loss to determine just what to do. 
The rider had been too far away to be identified, 
but his actions made it plain that he was neither 
Feather Dog nor Proud Hawk. 

“ Perhaps he is one of the scouts that Feather 
Dog told about/ ’ suggested Little Raven. 

“Yes, that may be true/ ’ saidSunBird. “White 
Otter, what do you make of it?” 

“I do not know what to make of it,” acknowl- 
edged White Otter. “That man saw us. If he is 
a scout he will go to tell his people about us. It is 
bad. We must watch sharp.” 

“We are scouts,” said Sun Bird. “We must 
tell our brothers about this thing.” 

“It is the best thing to do,” agreed WLite Otter. 

“I will go back, and tell them about it,” Little 
Raven volunteered. 

As the others agreed, he immediately turned his 
pony, and rode back to warn the war party. The 
main company of Minneconjoux had not come in 
sight, and Sun Bird and White Otter felt some- 
what anxious for the safety of the youthful scout 
who had gone to meet his tribesmen. If a strong 
force of foes were loitering in the vicinity, it would 
be easy for them to intercept the solitary Minne- 
70 


THE LONE RIDER 

conjoux. In spite of his youthfulness, however, 
Little Raven was an experienced warrior, and Snn 
Bird felt certain that he was competent to look 
after himself in an emergency. 

‘ 4 Snn Bird, I believe that warrior is watching 
over the top of that hill,” White Otter declared, 
suspiciously. 

“How do you know that?” Sun Bird inquired, 
anxiously. 

“I do not know it, but I believe I saw him peep- 
ing over the top of that hill,” replied White Otter. 

They looked anxiously toward the grassy knoll, 
and strained their eyes to discover the skulking 
foe. The thought that he was watching made them 
uneasy, and they were eager to learn if their sus- 
picions were true. It was some moments before 
White Otter finally became convinced. 

“Yes, I see him,” he declared, positively. “He 
is peeping over the top of that hill. I see his head 
over there near that little bush. Watch sharp.” 

“Yes, yes, I see his head,” Sun Bird declared, a 
moment later. 

Convinced that the mysterious horseman really 
was watching them, they believed that he was wait- 
ing to learn if they were followed by a larger com- 
pany. They had little doubt that he was a scout 
reconnoitering in advance of a force of their foes. 
71 


THE WAR TRAIL 


“ It is bad, ’ 9 White Otter said, uneasily. * * That 
man saw Little Raven ride away. He will know 
that some one is following behind us. He will 
watch until our friends come. Then he will tell 
his people about it.” 

“Yes, I see that it is bad,” said Sun Bird. 
“Perhaps if we ride over there we can chase him 
away . 9 9 

“Come,” White Otter proposed, recklessly. 

As they cantered briskly toward the knoll, the 
scout withdrew from sight. They felt quite sure 
that he had merely slipped farther down the oppo- 
site side of the ridge, and was still peering cau- 
tiously over the top. As they felt convinced that 
the horseman was alone, they had little fear of 
running into an ambush. When they got within 
arrow range, however, they approached with great 
care. As a precaution against attack, they sepa- 
rated and rode forward several arrow flights apart. 
Once at the foot of the slope they rushed their 
ponies to the top, and prepared to attack whoever 
confronted them. The scout, however, was no- 
where in sight. They searched the plain in vain ; 
the mysterious stranger had entirely disap- 
peared. For a moment or so they were completely 
baffled. Then WTiite Otter suddenly smiled, and 
nodded understandingly. 

72 


THE LONE RIDER 

“I know about it,” he told Sun Bird. 

“Tell me,” Sun Bird asked, eagerly. 

“That scout is very sharp,” declared White Ot- 
ter. “He has thrown his pony, and he is hiding 
over there in that high grass.” 

“Yes, I believe that is where he is hiding,” 
agreed Sun Bird. 

The spot where they believed the scout had con- 
cealed himself was many arrow flights away, and 
they knew it would be difficult to discover him at 
that distance. They felt almost certain, however, 
that he was still watching them from his new hid- 
ing place. The thought disturbed them. His per- 
sistence made them suspicious. They wondered 
if he were trying to fool them with some wily bit 
of stratagem. 

“Well, we will ride over there and chase him 
out,” proposed Sun Bird. 

They had not gone an arrow flight, when a pony 
suddenly rose to its feet in the long grass. An 
instant later the rider sprang upon its back and 
raced away toward the south. He was too far 
in the lead to be easily overtaken, and besides, the 
Sioux realized that it would be perilous to follow 
him. They watched, therefore, while he sped 
across the plain. 


73 


THE WAR TRAIL 

“We have chased him away — it is good,” said 
Sun Bird. 

“Perhaps something had will come of it,” White 
Otter warned him. “If that man is a Blackfoot, he 
will tell his people about us. Then it will he hard 
to get near the camp.” 

“Perhaps he is a Crow,” Sun Bird suggested, 
hopefully. 

“Lean Wolf has told us that the Crows are over 
there,” White Otter reminded him, as he pointed 
toward the west. 

“That is true,” agreed Sun Bird. “But per- 
haps they sent scouts over here to look for the 
Blackfeet.” 

White Otter remained silent. The appearance 
and the actions of the unknown scout had made 
him wary. He feared that the Sioux war party 
was in imminent danger of being surrounded and 
attacked by a superior force of foes. The possi- 
bility distressed him. There seemed little chance 
of avoiding the peril. 

“Sun Bird, I believe the best thing to do is to 
find our people,” White Otter declared, finally. 
“Perhaps Lean Wolf and Feather Dog have told 
them something . 9 9 

“Yes, we will go to find our brothers,” agreed 
Sun Bird. 


CHAPTER Vn 


SMOKE SIGNALS 



S Sun Bird and White Otter rode cautiously 


± over the ridge they saw the Minneconjoux 
war party moving slowly across the plain. As soon 
as the Minneconjoux discovered the two horsemen 
they immediately stopped to watch them. 

“Our brothers are as cautious as Hitunkasan, 
the weasel,” laughed Sun Bird. “Well, we will 
tell them who we are.” 

He raised his arms and clasped his hands to- 
gether above his head. It was the sign for friends. 
Then the two scouts rode rapidly toward the war 
party. The Minneconjoux soon recognized them, 
and came across the plain. Little Raven raced on 
in advance of his friends. 

“Well, my brothers, I see that you have come 
back , 9 9 he said, as he rode up to them. “ It is good. 
What became of that scout?” 

“He has gone away,” White Otter told him. 

“Did you kill him?” Little Raven inquired, 
eagerly. 


75 


THE WAR TRAIL 

‘ ‘ No , ’ 9 replied Sun Bird. 4 ‘ When we rode after 
him he ran away.” 

‘‘Well, when he saw that you were Dacotahs he 
was frightened , 9 9 Little Raven said, boastfully. 

While they were talking the war party came up 
to them. Sun Bird found Lean Wolf in command. 
He said that he had followed the Crows until he 
felt sure that they were going to their village. 
Then he left Running Dog to scout along the west- 
ern flank of the war party, and returned to his 
companions. 

“Do you believe those people know about us?” 
Sun Bird asked, anxiously. 

“No,” Lean Wolf assured him. “They are far 
away. The scouts did not go far from their people. 
Those Crows have killed plenty of game. They 
are afraid the Blackfeet will catch them, and take 
it away.” 

“Have you seen Feather Dog?” inquired Sun 
Bird. 

“No,” replied Lean Wolf. 

Then the Minneconjoux inquired anxiously about 
the solitary horseman. They said that Little Ra- 
ven had told them about him, but they were eager 
to know who he was and where he had gone. 

“I cannot tell you that,” Sun Bird told them. 
“He was far away, and we could not find out who 
76 


SMOKE SIGNALS 

he was. When we went after him he ran away. 
Perhaps Feather Dog will tell us about him.” 

“Yes, yes, perhaps Feather Dog will find out 
about him,” the Minneconjoux told one another, 
hopefully. 

“Well, my brothers, we will keep going ahead 
until we find a good place to stop,” said Sun Bird. 
“Then we will wait for Feather Dog and Proud 
Hawk, and Running Dog. I believe they will have 
something to talk about.” 

The day was little more than half gone, however, 
when they saw three riders approaching from the 
east. As the horsemen did not stop when they 
discovered the war party, the Sioux believed that 
two of the riders must be Feather Dog and Proud 
Hawk. As they came nearer they recognized them. 

“They are bringing a prisoner!” the Minne- 
conjoux cried, excitedly. “It must be that scout. 
Hi ! now we will see who he is. ’ 9 

Then they were suddenly astonished into silence. 
The three horsemen had come sufficiently near so 
that the Minneconjoux could plainly discern the 
dress and features of the third rider. They could 
scarcely believe their eyes. They looked many 
moments before they were convinced. Then they 
were thrown into an ecstasy of joy. 
i ‘ See ! See ! It is Dancing Rabbit ! ’ ’ they shouted. 
77 


THE WAR TRAIL 


The young Minneconjoux who had disappeared 
when the Blackfeet ran off the band of Sioux 
ponies was riding between Feather Dog and Proud 
Hawk. He was mounted on a pinto pony, and as 
Sun Bird and White Otter recognized it the mys- 
tery of the lone horseman was solved. 

“That is the pony we saw on the ridge,” they 
told their friends. 

As the riders joined the war party, the Minne- 
conjoux crowded eagerly about their young tribes- 
man to learn the story of his adventures. He was 
a tall, sinewy youth of about fifteen winters, and he 
exhibited the dignity and reserve of a seasoned 
warrior. 

“Come, Dancing Rabbit, tell us how you come 
to be here,” said Sun Bird. 

“My brothers, you are great warriors,” replied 
Dancing Rabbit. “I am a young man. I cannot 
talk big. I will tell you that the Blackfeet carried 
me away to their village. MTell, they treated me 
very bad. Then I found a chance to get away. I 
took this pony. It is fast. I got far ahead and 
the Blackfeet did not come up with me. I was go- 
ing to our village. Then I saw three riders. I hid 
behind a ridge and watched them. They were far 
away, and I could not make out who they were. I 
said, ‘Perhaps they are Blackfeet scouts. Per- 
78 


SMOKE SIGNALS 


haps they are Crows/ Then they rode after me 
and I ran away. Then I found Feather Dog. That 
is how I come to be here.” 

4 4 It is good , 9 9 Sun Bird told him. 44 Your words 
are the words of a warrior.” 

Feather Dog then explained how he had chanced 
to encounter the young Minneconjoux. 

“ I was watching for our enemies,” said Feather 
Dog. 4 4 Then I saw some one riding toward me. 
He was a long ways off, but he was coming fast. 
I rode my pony down into a gully to hide. Then 
I crawled up the side of the gully and peeped out. 
That rider was coming right where I was. I waited 
for him. When he got near I was going to jump 
up and shoot my arrows at him. Well, when I 
jumped up I saw who he was. Then we rode away 
and found Proud Hawk. Then we came here. That 
is all I know about it.” 

4 4 Did you see any Blackfeet?” Sun Bird asked 
him. 

4 4 Yes, we saw four Blackfeet scouts,” said 
Feather Dog. 4 4 Two of them were the same riders 
we saw before. This time they were close, and we 
could see them. Then we saw that they were Black- 
feet. They were going straight ahead. I believe 
they are going to the Blackfeet village. I do not 
believe they know about us . 9 9 

79 


THE WAR TRAIL 

4 4 It is good,” declared the Minneconjoux. 

4 4 Yes, it is good,” Sun Bird told them. 4 4 But 
we must watch out. Perhaps we will run into 
those scouts. The Blackfeet are sharp- If they 
see us it will be hard to get near the camp. ’ , 

44 I will tell you something about that,” Dancing 
Rabbit said, suddenly. 4 4 The Blackfeet have moved 
their lodges. Yes, they have gone away from the 
place where they were. They have gone over there 
in the shadow of the big mountains.” 

The Minneconjoux were astounded at the an- 
nouncement. They looked anxiously toward the 
northwest, where a long range of dim, shadowy 
peaks showed against the sky. They had expected 
to find the Blackfeet camp on the open plain, a 
number of days’ journey toward the north. It had 
never occurred to their minds that the Blackfeet 
might have decided to change the location of the 
yillage. The words of Dancing Rabbit gave them 
several reasons for concern. First, they knew 
that they had already gone considerably out of 
their way. Again, they realized that to reach the 
new Blackfeet camp they must go far to the west- 
ward, where they would be in peril from their old 
enemies the Crows, as well as from the Blackfeet. 

4 4 It is bad,” declared Sun Bird. 

4 4 It is bad,” agreed his companions. 

80 


SMOKE SIGNALS 


As there seemed to be a difference of opinion 
as to just which way they should proceed, Sun 
Bird immediately called a council. Some of the 
Minneconjoux believed it would be safer to con- 
tinue directly toward the north until they were 
about in line with the Blackfeet camp, and then 
turn toward the west. Others thought that they 
should move directly toward the new camp, and 
reach the mountains as soon as possible. There 
was considerable discussion. 

“My brothers, I believe the best thing to do is 
to turn toward the mountains/ ’ said Sun Bird. 
“Then if we see our enemies we can hide. If we 
go to the mountains we can climb high up, and 
look for the Blackfeet camp. It will be hard for 
the Blackfeet to see us. In the day we will hide 
in the timber. When it grows dark we will send 
scouts to find out about the ponies. Yes, my 
friends, I believe it is the best way to get near the 
camp.” 

“My brothers, Sun Bird has given us good 
words,” declared Lean Wolf. “I believe he has 
told us the best way to go to the Blackfeet camp. 
He is a good war leader. We must listen to his 
words.” 

“My friends, what Lean Wolf says is true,” said 
Feather Dog. “I believe it would be foolish to 
81 


THE WAR TRAIL 


keep going ahead. I have told you about those 
four Blackfeet scouts. I believe they are going to 
the Blackfeet camp. Pretty soon they will turn 
this way. If we keep going straight ahead we will 
meet them. We must turn toward the mountains . 9 9 

‘ ‘White Otter, how do you feel about this 
thing V 9 inquired Sun Bird. 

“My brother, I believe you have told the best 
way to go to the Blackfeet camp,” White Otter 
replied, quietly. “I believe what Feather Dog 
says is true. If we keep going ahead perhaps we 
will run into those Blackfeet scouts.” 

The opinion of the famous young Ogalala seemed 
to make a deep impression upon the Minneconjoux. 
It was only a few moments before those warriors 
who had suggested traveling toward the north 
changed their views, and agreed that it would be 
safer to ride toward the west. 

“Well, my brothers, I see that we all feel the 
same about this thing,” Sun Bird said, when all 
had agreed. “It Is good. Come, we will ride 
toward those great mountains.” 

Having made their decision, they rode boldly 
toward the west, ready and eager to meet their 
foes. It was late in the day, however, before they 
saw any evidence of them. Then they discovered 
a smoke signal some distance to the northward. 

82 


SMOKE SIGNALS 


Three columns of yellow smoke were ascending 
into the sky. The Sioux watched them with con- 
siderable uneasiness. They wondered if the Black- 
feet scouts had discovered the war party. 

“No, I do not believe it,” Feather Dog declared. 
“That smoke is a long ways off. Those scouts 
could not get so far ahead of us. It must be some 
one different.” 

“Perhaps the Blackfeet are calling the scouts to 
the camp,” suggested Proud Hawk. 

“No, the camp is not in that place,” Dancing 
Rabbit told them. 

Convinced that the smoke signals did not con- 
cern them, the Sioux continued on their way. Fea- 
ther Dog said that there was a good camp site with 
plenty of grass and water a short distance ahead 
of them, and as the day was drawing to a close 
they determined to stop there for the night. They 
had not ridden far, however, before they saw three 
more columns of smoke rising a considerable dis- 
tance to the westward of the first signals. 

“It must be the Blackfeet,” declared the Minne- 
conjoux. “It is the danger signal. They are tell- 
ing their people about us.” 

“Perhaps they have found the Crows,” sug- 
gested Feather Dog. 

A few moments later a horseman swept into 

83 


THE WAR TRAIL 


view, far to the westward. He was riding at a 
furious pace, and seemed to be coming directly 
toward them. They had little doubt that it was 
Running Hog, and they watched him in great sus- 
pense. 

4 ‘Running Hog is coming to tell us about some- 
thing big,” they cried. 

As the Minneconjoux scout came nearer, he be- 
gan to point excitedly behind him. The Sioux 
looked anxiously toward the west, expecting to 
see a company of their foes racing along on the 
trail of Running Hog. 

“Perhaps the Crows are coming, we must be 
ready,” said Sun Bird. 

Roused by the possibility, the hot-tempered Min- 
neconjoux immediately got ready to fight. Then, 
as Running Hog finally came within shouting dis- 
tance, they began to cry out and question him. 

“Are the Crows coming? ” they inquired eagerly. 

“No! no!” shouted Running Hog. 

Then he dashed up to them. As he threw the 
panting pony upon its haunches, his companions 
gathered about him to learn what had sent him 
racing across the plain. 

“Listen, my brothers, I will tell you about it,” 
said Running Hog. “The Crows and the Black- 
feet are getting ready for a big fight over there 
84 


SMOKE SIGNALS 

behind that ridge. I was watching them. Then 
I saw yon coming that way. Then I came over 
here to tell yon to hold hack. Do yon see that 
smoke np there? Well, the Blackfeet are calling 
the people to fight. Y on mnst watch sharp. I saw 
many warriors over there behind that ridge.” 

The words of Running Dog were received in 
silence. The Minneconjonx looked gravely into 
each other’s faces. They realized the peril to 
which they were exposed, and they waited for the 
war leaders to speak. All eyes were turned npon 
Sun Bird. 

“My friends, Rnnning Dog has told you about 
those warriors over there behind that ridge,” said 
Sun Bird. “We are in great danger. Something 
mnst be done. We mnst try to find a place to hide 
in until it grows dark. Then perhaps we can get 
away from here. If we meet our enemies we mnst 
fight them. We are Dacotahs. It is enough.” 

“My brother, I will tell yon about a place to 
hide in,” said Dancing Rabbit. “I found it when 
I was running away from the Blackfeet. It is a 
place where water used to run. Now it is dry. It 
is deep. It goes a long way across the plain. We 
can ride into it, and no one will see ns. ’ ’ 

“Where is this place?” Sun Bird asked anx- 
iously. 


85 


THE WAR TRAIL 


“Over there,’ ’ said Dancing Rabbit, pointing 
toward the north. 

“Come, my brothers, we will go to this place, 
and hide until it grows dark,” proposed Snn Bird. 
“I will ask three scouts to go over to that ridge 
to watch those warriors. I will ask White Otter 
to be the leader.” 

“I will go,” White Otter volunteered, eagerly. 

Most of the war party desired to accompany the 
Ogalala on his perilous reconnaissance. Having 
been appointed as leader, however, White Otter 
was privileged to choose his companions. 

“I will ask Lean Wolf and Little Raven to go 
with me,” said White Otter. 

“I will go with you,” replied Lean Wolf. 

“I will go,” Little Raven said, eagerly, as his 
eyes flashed with boyish enthusiasm. 


CHAPTER VIII 


A CLOSE CALL 

A FEW moments afterward White Otter and 
his companions rode away on their hazard- 
ous mission. Running Dog had told them that the 
rival war parties were a considerable distance be- 
yond the ridge, and the Sioux hoped to come in 
sight of them without being discovered. White 
Otter turned directly toward the south, as he be- 
lieved that there was less chance of encountering 
hostile scouts in that direction. He rode a consid- 
erable distance before he finally turned toward the 
west, and approached the ridge. 

“The Crows have passed this place — the Black- 
feet came the other way — they will not pass the 
Crows — the Crows will not come back here — this 
is a good place — we will stay here and watch / 1 
White Otter told his companions. 

“It is good,” agreed Lean Wolf, the famous 
Minneconjoux scout. 

They approached the ridge with great caution. 
The sun had already set, but they knew the long 
87 


THE WAR TRAIL 


summer twilight would give them ample time to 
discover their foes. As they finally came within 
bow range of the grassy slope, they stopped and 
spent many moments watching for signs of lurk- 
ing foes. Then they suddenly heard the sounds of 
battle. 

“The Crows and the Blackfeet are fighting — it 
is good,” White Otter declared, grimly. 

Then, while Little Raven remained with the 
ponies, White Otter and Lean Wolf crawled slowly 
up the ridge. When they reached the top they 
parted the long grass and looked anxiously across 
the plain. The Crows and the Blackfeet were pre- 
paring to fight. They were a long distance from 
the ridge, however, and the Sioux felt in little dan- 
ger. They watched with keen interest while their 
foes began the preliminaries of battle. The ex- 
perienced Sioux scouts read the situation at a 
glance. It was evident that the Crows had been 
overtaken and brought to a stand by the Blackfeet 
war party. The Crows had dismounted and taken 
shelter behind their ponies, and the Blackfeet were 
riding about them in a great circle, but keeping 
safely beyond bow range. There was much yelling 
and singing of war songs, but no real attempt at 
actual fighting. 

“The Blackfeet are cautious,” White Otter said, 
88 


A CLOSE CALL 

scornfully. ‘ 1 They are making a great noise, bnt 
I do not see them killing any Crows. If they rushed 
in there and frightened those ponies the Crows 
would have a hard time of it . 9 9 

“It is true,” agreed Lean Wolf. 

The Crows, however, appeared to he consider- 
ably stronger in numbers, and it was apparent that 
the Blackfeet were cautious about beginning the 
attack. The Sioux were surprised at the small 
size of the Blackfeet war party. They had expected 
to see a much larger force of those savage foes en- 
gaged against the Crows. 

“I do not see many Blackfeet — it is bad,” said 
White Otter. “They have left many warriors to 
guard the camp.” 

When Running Dog brought word of the im- 
pending battle, the Sioux had hoped that the Black- 
feet would send a sufficient force against the Crows 
to weaken the defense of the Blackfeet camp con- 
siderably. White Otter realized, however, that 
the hope was false. It was evident that the crafty 
Blackfeet had left most of their fighting men at the 
village. 

“Perhaps they are waiting for our people to 
come for those ponies,” said Lean Wolf. 

“Yes, I believe it is true,” agreed White Otter. 

He had barely ceased speaking when the Black- 

89 


THE WAR TRAIL 


feet suddenly began their attack. Whooping fierce- 
ly, they rushed upon their foes and made desperate 
attempts to frighten and stampede the Crow 
ponies. The Crows, however, had prepared for 
just such a maneuver, and the alarmed ponies were 
unable to break away. In the meantime the Crows 
sent a deadly volley of arrows against the Black- 
feet, and the latter recoiled before the fierceness 
of the defense. A number of warriors had already 
toppled from their ponies, and it was evident that 
the loss somewhat discouraged their comrades. 
For a moment they wavered, and then a reckless 
war leader on a pinto pony rallied them and led 
them against their foes. 

They rode close up to the Crows, and fought with 
great bravery. The Crows, however, had the 
double advantage of numbers and shelter, and the 
Blackfeet soon realized that they were fighting a 
losing fight. The fearless war leader had already 
forfeited his life to his gallantry, and a number 
of his followers were either killed or wounded. In 
return, the Blackfeet had done little harm to the 
Crows, except for killing a few ponies, and wound- 
ing one reckless young Crow who had rushed from 
behind his horse to attack them. Thoroughly dis- 
heartened, they became demoralized and raced 
away in bad disorder. 


90 


A CLOSE CALL 


* ‘See, see, the fierce Blackfeet are running like 
rabbits !” laughed White Otter. 

“The Crows are too strong for them,” declared 
Lean Wolf. 

Encouraged by their success, many of the Crows 
leaped upon their ponies and set out after the flee- 
ing Blackfeet. The maneuver threw the Black- 
feet into a rage. They immediately wheeled about 
and raced back to meet their pursuers. Their 
boldness confused the Crows, and before they had 
recovered from their surprise the Blackfeet were 
upon them. As less than half of the Crow force 
had joined in the pursuit, the advantage had sud- 
denly turned to the Blackfeet. Smarting with the 
humiliation of their recent repulse, the Blackfeet 
determined to take full vengeance upon the mis- 
guided company of Crows who had blundered into 
their power. 

“They have fooled the Crows ,’ 9 White Otter 
cried, excitedly. “They will wipe out that war 
party before their friends can come to help them.” 

“The Blackfeet are sharp,” laughed Lean Wolf. 

The Sioux suddenly realized that the wild flight 
of the Blackfeet had been a clever bit of stratagem 
to deceive their foes. It was apparent that the 
trick had been entirely successful, as the Black- 
91 


THE WAR TRAIL 

feet seemed to have the Crows entirely at their 
mercy. 

“See, those poor Crows are calling their broth- 
ers to help them,” White Otter told Lean Wolf. 

Finding themselves completely overwhelmed by 
the ferocity and strength of their crafty foes, the 
Crows were thrown into a panic. They had lost 
all sense of order and discipline, and each man was 
fighting for himself. Their one idea appeared to 
be to escape from the relentless Blackfeet, who 
seemed determined to annihilate them. Aware 
that they were facing destruction, the Crows were 
making frantic appeals to their comrades to come 
to their assistance. The latter abandoned the 
pack ponies and the hard-earned supply of meat 
and rode wildly across the plain to assist their 
tribesmen. 

“ Now we will see a big fight , 7 7 White Otter cried, 
enthusiastically. 

“Yes, yes,” agreed Lean Wolf, as his eyes 
flashed with excitement. 

The Crows who had come to the aid of their 
tribesmen fought with great courage, but the 
Blackfeet were thoroughly aroused and they 
seemed invincible. The Sioux were amazed at the 
bravery and skill displayed by those hardy war- 
riors from the north. Having duped their foes 
92 


A CLOSE CALL 


and gained the advantage, they appeared deter- 
mined to follow it through to a complete victory. 

Although the Crows still outnumbered them, the 
Blackfeet pressed the attack with a reckless feroc- 
ity that completely demoralized their foes. Time 
after time the Crows tried to rally from their con- 
fusion, but each attempt was the signal for a still 
fiercer assault by the Blackfeet. 

“Hi, the Blackfeet know how to fight !” White 
Otter whispered, tensely. 

The fighting was at close range, and many rider- 
less ponies gave evidence of the result. The Sioux 
witnessed many deeds of heroism. They saw a 
wounded Crow warrior on a white pony ride reck- 
lessly at three of his enemies, and overcome all 
three of them before a company of Blackfeet fin- 
ally killed him. They saw a Blackfoot dash among 
a company of astounded Crows and rescue his 
comrade who had been desperately wounded. They 
saw many thrilling hand-to-hand encounters which 
were fought to the death. They saw dismounted 
warriors running boldly into the thick of the fight 
in the hope of killing an enemy and securing his 
horse. Most of them were killed. A few achieved 
the exploit, and galloped from the encounter in 
triumph. 

Then as the light began to fade from the plain 

93 


THE WAR TRAIL 


the Crows made a final, heroic effort, and broke 
through the circle of foes. They raced directly 
toward the spot where the Sioux were watching, 
and behind them thundered the Blackfeet. 

“Run to the ponies!” cried White Otter, as he 
realized the peril which threatened them. 

They scrambled wildly down the ridge and 
called to Little Raven to bring the ponies. He had 
already guessed that something was wrong, and 
he lost little time in joining them. 

‘ ‘ The Crows and the Blackfeet are almost here ! 1 9 
White Otter told him, as he sprang upon the pie- 
bald. 

As the plain offered no hiding place in the vi- 
cinity of the ridge, White Otter realized that their 
only chance of escape lay in open flight. He also 
knew that to turn toward the north would arouse 
the suspicions of the crafty Blackfeet. He raced 
away toward the east. 

“Keep low on your ponies, and perhaps our 
enemies will not know who we are, ’ ’ he advised his 
companions. 

Crouching low upon the necks of their ponies, 
the Sioux rode furiously to gain a safe lead upon 
their foes. Night was almost at hand, and the 
dusky twilight shadows made it difficult for their 
enemies to identify them. When the Crows fi- 
94 


A CLOSE CALL 

nally dashed recklessly over the top of the ridge the 
Dacotahs were many arrow flights away. At sight 
of the three racing ponies, however, the Crows ap- 
parently became suspicious, and fearful of being 
led into another trap. They immediately swerved 
from their course, and rode toward the north. 

“That is bad,” cried White Otter, who had been 
risking his neck to glance back at his foes. “If 
they go that way they may find our people.” 

“I believe our friends will be watching sharp,” 
Lean Wolf assured him. 

Then they heard the wild, ringing whoops of 
the Blackfeet, and White Otter again turned his 
head to look back. The heavy shadows had al- 
most wiped out the ridge, and it was difficult to 
see the company of riders who were racing reck- 
lessly down the steep grassy slope. He made them 
out, however, and was relieved to see them turn 
sharply and follow the Crows. The latter had en- 
tirely faded from sight in the dusk. 

“The Blackfeet did not see us,” White Otter 
told his companions. ‘ ‘ See, it is almost dark ! We 
will ride slower.” 

They could barely see an arrow flight before 
them, and they believed there was slight probabil- 
ity of being seen. In fact they had high hopes that 
the Blackfeet had entirely failed to notice them. 
95 


THE WAR TRAIL 


Feeling quite safe, therefore, they reined in the 
ponies and rode at a slow canter. They heard the 
Blackfeet yelling savagely farther toward the 
north and had little doubt that they were still pur- 
suing the demoralized Crows. 

“They are making a great noise — it is good,” 
declared Lean Wolf. “Our people will hear 
them.” 

“Yes, it is ” began White Otter. 

“Listen!” interrupted Little Raven. 

They heard the sound of galloping ponies di- 
rectly ahead of them, and they barely had time to 
turn aside before the unkown riders passed them 
in the darkness. Then the nervous little piebald 
whinnied, and the strangers instantly stopped. 

“Come !” cried White Otter, as he turned toward 
the north, and raced away at top speed. 

“I believe those riders are the Blackfeet scouts 
that Feather Dog told us about,” said Lean Wolf. 
“Little Raven, your ears are as sharp as the ears 
of Tokala, the fox.” 

They rode some distance before they finally 
stopped to listen for sounds from their foes. Night 
had fallen, and the great plain was cloaked in 
darkness. For a long time the stillness was un- 
broken. It seemed as if the Blackfeet had at last 
96 


A CLOSE CALL 

yelled themselves into silence. The Sioux won- 
dered if the Crows had escaped. 

“I do not believe the Blackfeet came up with 
them,” Lean Wolf said, softly. “When it got 
dark I believe the Blackfeet turned back to round 
up those ponies that the Crows left behind.” 

“Then we must watch sharp,” declared White 
Otter. ‘ ‘ Perhaps they will ride over here and find 
us.” 

Then they heard the wail of a prairie wolf a 
short distance to the westward. There was some- 
thing about it that made them suspicious. As a 
precaution against being betrayed to prowling 
foes, White Otter dismounted and seized the nose 
of the little piebald. The other ponies also 
showed signs of nervousness, and their riders 
quickly followed the example of the cautious Oga- 
lala. Then the three anxious Sioux scouts stood 
beside their ponies and strained their ears to 
catch a warning of danger. Three times the dreary 
call of the prairie wolf sounded from the west, 
and each time the suspicions of the Sioux grew 
stronger. They felt almost certain that it was a 
signal from their enemies. 

“That does not sound like Mayash, the prow- 
ler,” White Otter declared suspiciously. 

“It is different,” agreed Lean Wolf. 

97 


THE WAR TRAIL 

At that moment they heard the cry repeated in 
the north. They knew at once that it was an an- 
swer to the signal from the west. It was evident 
that foes were on two sides of them, and the Sioux 
realized that they were in a serious predicament. 

“It is bad,” whispered White Otter. “I be- 
lieve Blackfeet scouts are out there in the dark- 
ness. They are close. We must watch out.” 

“Do you believe they know us?” Little Raven 
inquired, anxiously. 

“ No, ” Wliite Otter told him. 1 i Lean W olf , how 
do you feel about it 1 ” 

“I believe it is the Blackfeet,” said Lean Wolf. 
“We must wait here until we see what they are 
going to do. If we hear them coming here then 
we will ride away before they find us.” 

“It is the best thing to do,” Wliite Otter told 
him. 

They listened anxiously to learn if their foes 
were actually approaching. They heard nothing 
to give them a clew. The signals had ceased, and 
the calm, brooding night hush had fallen upon the 
plain. The ponies, however, were still uneasy, 
and their actions made the Sioux suspicious. They 
feared that other horses were close at hand, and 
the possibility kept them alert. 

“Listen, my brothers,” White Otter whispered, 

98 


A CLOSE CALL 

anxiously. “Something is moving over there.” 

The sound had come from the westward, and 
whatever had made it seemed to be well within 
bowshot. The piebald was shaking its head, and 
struggling to free its nose from the grasp of the 
Ogalala. The other ponies also showed signs of 
recognition, and the Sioux felt sure that a horse 
was moving slowly through the darkness. They 
listened with bated breath, ready to jump upon 
their ponies and flee into the protection of the 
night at the first hint that they had been discov- 
ered. They waited in trying suspense while the 
rider slowly passed them, and the short, quick foot- 
falls of his pony died away in the distance. 

“He has gone,” whispered Little Raven. 

“Sh!” cautioned Lean Wolf. 

Another pony was approaching. Again the 
Sioux waited in breathless suspense, while the un- 
seen rider moved cautiously through the darkness 
within bow range of them. This time, however, 
they were not so fortunate. For some reason the 
rider stopped directly opposite them. Was he 
suspicious ? the Sioux wondered. The piebald tried 
to call, but White Otter strangled the cry in its 
throat. Then the strange horse winded the Sioux 
ponies, and whinnied its challenge. The next mo- 
ment a voice questioned cautiously from the night. 
99 


THE WAR TRAIL 

The Sioux remained silent. Each stood grasping 
the mane of his pony, ready to mount and race 
away on the instant of discovery. Then the horse 
which had already passed answered the challenge, 
and the suspicions of the second rider were allayed. 
A moment later the Sioux heard him riding on his 
way. They remained silent, however, listening 
anxiously to learn if a third rider was following 
after those who had passed. 

“ There are no more,” Lean Wolf whispered, 
finally. 

“It is good,” replied White Otter. 

They waited until they felt sure that their en- 
emies had gone beyond hearing, and then they 
mounted and rode carefully toward the east. As 
the mysterious scouts had gone toward the north, 
the Sioux determined to make a wide detour to 
avoid an encounter. They walked the ponies until 
they had gone a safe distance, and then they urged 
them into a brisk canter, and began to circle back 
toward the north to reach the Minneconjoux war 
party. 


CHAPTER IX 


ANXIOUS MOMENTS 


FTER White Otter and his companions left 



L X them, the Minneconjoux war party rode 
cautiously toward the north to find the hiding place 
of which Dancing Rabbit had told. They realized 
the peril to which they were exposing themselves, 
and Sun Bird took every precaution to guard 
against blundering upon the Blackfeet. Running 
Dog and a companion scouted to the westward, 
Feather Dog and Proud Hawk again reconnoitered 
toward the east, and Sun Bird, Sitting Eagle and 
the lad, Dancing Rabbit, rode in advance. 

“How far away is this place ?” Sun Bird asked, 
anxiously. 

“It begins over there where you see those little 
trees,’ ’ replied Dancing Rabbit, as he pointed to a 
few stunted cottonwoods some distance ahead of 
them. 

4 4 Yes, I know about that place, ’ ’ declared Sitting 
Eagle. “I have been there. It is a good place to 
hide in.” 


101 


THE WAR TRAIL 

Dancing Rabbit said that the shelter toward 
which they were moving was a deep ravine which 
formerly had been the bed of a good-sized stream. 
It extended directly across the plain from west to 
east, and went to the very foothills of the great 
mountains. The young Minneconjoux declared 
that, once in the bottom of that deep ravine, the 
war party would be invisible to their foes, and it 
would be possible to remain hidden until they 
reached the timbered ridges. 

4 ‘It is good,” declared Sun Bird. “When we 
get to that place we will hide in the day, and travel 
toward the mountains when it gets dark.” 

Before they reached the ravine, however, they 
saw a horseman ride cautiously over the ridge to 
the westward. When he reached the bottom of the 
slope he rode rapidly to and fro, and appeared 
to be trying to attract the attention of Sun Bird 
and his companions. It was the danger signal, 
and the Minneconjoux watched him with grave at- 
tention. When he saw that he had attracted their 
notice, he stopped and raised his right hand above 
his head. Then he suddenly swept it downward 
and backward. It was the signal to approach. 
Although he was a considerable distance away, 
Sun Bird and Sitting Eagle agreed that it was 
Running Dog. 


102 


ANXIOUS MOMENTS 

“He wants to tell ns abont something,” said 
Sun Bird. “Go, Dancing Rabbit, and bring us 
his words.” 

The lad immediately galloped away to meet the 
distant Minneconjoux scout. Sun Bird and Sitting 
Eagle decided to wait where they were until he re- 
turned. In a few moments they saw the war party 
riding toward them. The Minneconjoux had dis- 
covered Running Dog, and were watching Dancing 
Rabbit as he raced across the plain. When they 
reached Sun Bird, however, they concealed their 
curiosity and waited for the youthful war leader 
to tell them what had happened. 

“My friends, that scout over there is Running 
Dog,” said Sun Bird. “He has made the danger 
signal. Then he called us. Dancing Rabbit has 
gone to bring us his words. We will wait here 
until he comes back.” 

It was not long before they saw the eager lad 
racing toward them with the message from Run- 
ning Dog. He was urging his pony to top speed, 
and the Sioux believed he brought word of great 
importance. Running Dog had already disap- 
peared into the dusk. 

“I have brought you the words of Running 
Dog,” said Dancing Rabbit, as he stopped beside 
Sun Bird. 


103 


THE WAR TRAIL 

“Tell me what he says,” replied Sun Bird. 

“Running Dog says that the Crows and the 
Blackfeet are fighting,” declared Dancing Rabbit. 
“He says it is a big fight. He says the Crows are 
stronger than the Blackfeet. Running Dog says 
that is bad. He says there must be many Black- 
feet at the village. He believes that a big war 
party may be coming this way. He says we must 
go to that gully and hide. He says he will come 
there when it gets dark. Those are the words of 
Running Dog.” 

“Come, lead us to that place,” said Sun Bird. 

The glow was fading from the western sky and 
the twilight shadows were gathering upon the 
plain when the Sioux finally reached the dry stream 
bed. It offered an ideal hiding place, and Sun 
Bird looked upon it with delight. 

“See, my brothers, this great gully leads far 
over there toward the mountains,” he said. “If 
we follow it, I do not believe our enemies will be 
able to find us.” 

“It is good,” declared the Minneconjoux. 

They picketed the ponies in the bottom of the 
ravine, and then most of the war party crawled up 
the steep bank to watch the plain. It was almost 
dark, and they wondered why Feather Dog and 
Proud Hawk had failed to join them. They looked 
104 


ANXIOUS MOMENTS 

anxiously toward the east in the hope of seeing the 
sconts. Then they suddenly heard a chorus of 
piercing yells and whoops far across the plain and 
they looked toward the sounds. The noise seemed 
to come from the vicinity of the ridge, and some 
distance to the southward. 

“ Perhaps our enemies have crossed the ridge; 
we must watch sharp / 9 Sun Bird cautioned them. 

The light was almost gone, and it was difficult to 
see far across the plain. The wild commotion con- 
tinued, however, and, guided by the sounds, the 
Sioux strained their eyes in an attempt to learn 
the cause of the disturbance. Then some of them 
discovered what appeared to he a company of 
horsemen racing along parallel with the ridge. 

‘ 1 It is the war party ! 9 9 they cried. 6 1 It must be 
the Blackfeet. They are riding this way!” 

“See, see, some one is chasing them!” said Sit- 
ting Eagle. 

They made out another company of riders who 
were apparently pursuing the horsemen ahead of 
them. The discovery filled the Sioux with alarm. 
It appeared as if both the Blackfeet and the Crows 
were racing toward the ravine. In a few moments, 
however, darkness closed down and blotted them 
from sight. Then the wild tumult suddenly ceased, 
105 


THE WAR TRAIL 

and the Sioux were left without a clew to the loca- 
tion of their foes. 

“It is bad,” Sun Bird declared, uneasily. 
“Those riders were coming this way. Now we do 
not know what has become of them. Perhaps they 
are in this gully. Perhaps they will come here. 
We must watch and listen.” 

The Minneconjoux heard him in silence. They 
were bewildered by the sudden turn of fortune 
which shattered their fancied security and threat- 
ened to expose them to their foes. The possibil- 
ities were alarming. Thoroughly alive to their 
own peril, they were even more concerned for the 
safety of their absent comrades. They wondered 
what had happened to White Otter and his com- 
panions. Where were Feather Dog and Proud 
Hawk? Why had Running Dog failed to warn 
them of the approaching war parties? Had those 
brave scouts been trapped and destroyed by 
their foes? The Sioux weakened at the thought. 

Sun Bird was particularly disturbed at the pos- 
sibility of harm having come to his friend, White 
Otter, and his brother, Little Raven. The hot fight- 
ing blood surged to his brain as he pictured his 
tribesmen in the hands of his foes. He soon dis- 
missed that possibility, however, for he knew that 
106 


ANXIOUS MOMENTS 

neither White Otter nor Lean Wolf would ever 
permit themselves to be taken alive. The thought 
suggested the still more alarming possibility that 
they had been killed. Sun Bird, however, refused 
even to consider it. 

“No, my friends, I do not believe anything bad 
has happened to those great scouts / 9 he told his 
companions. “We will wait for them. They will 
come.” 

He had barely finished speaking when one of the 
Sioux ponies whinnied softly, and a moment after- 
ward they heard a pony scramble up the side of 
the ravine a short distance to the eastward, and 
gallop off across the plain. 

“Perhaps it is one of our friends,” Sun Bird 
whispered, hopefully. 

He crawled to the plain, and imitated the bark 
of the little gray fox. The Sioux listened anx- 
iously. Many moments passed. There was no 
response. Then Sun Bird again sounded the fa- 
miliar signal. Still there was no reply. The 
Sioux became suspicious. They feared that a 
hostile scout had blundered upon their hiding 
place. Sun Bird, however, felt more hopeful. He 
knew the wariness of the Dacotah scouts, and he 
still hoped that the mysterious rider was one of his 
friends. He repeated the sharp, quick bark of the 
107 


THE WAR TRAIL 

little gray fox, and waited eagerly for a reply. 
This time he got it. It came from the direction 
where he had heard the hoofbeats of the retreating 
pony. 

“It is good,” said Sun Bird. “That rider is a 
friend.” 

A few moments later they heard ponies ap- 
proaching the ravine. Determined to be prepared 
for an emergency, the Sioux lay along the top of 
the ravine, with arrows fitted to their bows, ready 
to repnlse an attack. The precaution proved to 
be unnecessary, however, as the riders were Fea- 
ther Dog and Prond Hawk. 

“My brothers, you have come — it is good,” said 
Sun Bird. 

The scouts who had returned from the eastward 
said that they had seen nothing of their foes, al- 
though they felt quite sure that they had heard 
several ponies pass them in the darkness. They 
knew nothing of the thrilling chase which their 
companions had witnessed from the ravine, and 
were much interested in the recital. 

“Did you see anything of White Otter?” Sun 
Bird inquired, eagerly. 

“No, we did not see any one,” replied Feather 
X>og. 

Sun Bird appeared serious. The continued ab- 

108 


ANXIOUS MOMENTS 

sence of White Otter and his companions worried 
him. He began to fear that they really had met 
with some misfortune. The idea startled him. 

At that moment some of the Minneconjoux de- 
clared that they heard some one approaching the 
ravine. Sun Bird held his breath to listen, and 
his heart filled with hope. Perhaps White Otter 
and Little Baven had come. The possibility 
thrilled him. He waited in trying suspense for the 
signal which would verify his hopes. 

“Perhaps it is an enemy / 5 suggested a warrior 
who was lying beside him. 

Sun Bird remained silent. For the moment the 
Blackfeet and the Crows had been crowded from 
his mind by the hope of seeing White Otter and 
Little Raven. He had entirely forgotten the peril 
which threatened the Sioux war party. The warn- 
ing of his tribesman aroused him to his respon- 
sibility. He was the war leader. It was his duty 
to think first of the welfare and safety of the men 
who had entrusted themselves to his leadership. 
He at once dismissed White Otter and Little Raven 
from his thoughts, and again became the stern, im- 
passive war leader. 

“I do not hear anything / 5 he told the man be- 
side him. “What did you hear ? 5 5 

“It sounded like ponies / 5 replied the warrior. 
109 


THE WAR TRAIL 


“Were they running? ” inquired Sun Bird. 

“No, it sounded as if they were standing in one 
place, and stamping their feet,” declared the Min- 
neconjoux. 

They listened a long time, but heard nothing. 
The warriors who had given the warning, how- 
ever, felt certain that they had not been mistaken. 

“Perhaps it was Tatanka, the buffalo, or Tato- 
kadan, the antelope,” said Sitting Eagle. 

“No, no, it sounded like ponies,” declared his 
friends. 

Then as they continued to listen they heard the 
cry of a prairie wolf, far to the westward. The 
weird serenade lasted some moments, and then all 
was still. The call had sounded entirely natural, 
but the Sioux believed it was a clever imitation 
by their foes. They wondered if it had any con- 
nection with the sounds which had been heard 
near the ravine. They realized that Blackfeet 
scouts might have followed the stream bed in 
search of their foes, and that the wolf call was a 
signal for them to return to the war party. The 
Sioux listened anxiously for the sound of hoof 
beats going toward the west. When they failed to 
hear them they were completely baffled. Had the 
sharp-eared warriors who claimed to have heard 
the ponies been deceived? It seemed unlikely. 

110 


ANXIOUS MOMENTS 

Then what had become of the mysterious riders ? 
The entire Minneconjoux war party was listening 
breathlessly, and it seemed impossible for the 
horsemen to steal away without being heard. Then 
a new possibility presented itself. 

6 ‘ Perhaps they are Crows,’ ’ the Sionx told one 
another. 

The thought threw them into a flurry of excite- 
ment. They realized that if Crow scouts had come 
that far to the eastward, the entire Crow force 
might follow them along the ravine. As a pre- 
caution against a sudden attack, two Sioux scouts 
moved cautiously along the stream bed on foot to 
watch for the approach of enemies. They had 
barely gone beyond bowshot, when the Sioux heard 
the bark of the little gray fox directly in front of 
them. It filled them with joy, and they lost little 
time in replying. 

“Ho, my brothers, we have been waiting out here 
a long time,” said Running Dog, as he rode into 
the ravine with Big Crow, his fellow scout. 

“Did you see White Otter?” Sun Bird imme- 
diately inquired. 

“I do not know,” replied Running Dog. “We 
saw three riders racing over the ridge ahead of 
the Crows. They were far away. We could not 
tell about them. Perhaps they were our brothers.” 
Ill 


THE WAR TRAIL 


“What became of them?” Sun Bird asked, eag- 
erly. 

‘ 4 They went that way,” said Running Dog, as 
he pointed toward the east. 4 4 The Crows did not 
follow them. They came this way. Then the 
Blackfeet came after them.” 

“Did you hear Mayash, the wolf?” inquired Sit- 
ting Eagle. 

“Yes, we heard his call, but he did not make it,” 
Running Dog told him. “It was the Blackfeet. I 
believe the Crows got away from them. Perhaps 
they have turned this way. That is why we stayed 
out there in the darkness. We did not know who 
was in this place.” 

“Did you hear us?” Sun Bird asked, anx- 
iously. 

“No, we did not hear you,” said Running Dog. 
“Our ponies stopped and tried to call, and we knew 
that some one was in this place.” 

Running Dog told his tribesmen that he and Big 
Crow had seen the end of the fight, and the desper- 
ate race between the Crows and the Blackfeet. 
When the Crows turned toward the ravine the 
Sioux scouts had been greatly alarmed for the 
safety of the Minneconjoux war party. However, 
as they realized that they could not carry a warn- 
ing to their friends, they had determined to fol- 
112 


ANXIOUS MOMENTS 

low their enemies, and learn the result of the wild 
chase across the plain. With the coming of dark- 
ness they had lost sight of both the Crows and the 
Blackfeet, but they were sure that both war par- 
ties had entered the ravine a considerable dis- 
tance to the westward. 

“ Perhaps the Crows came this way — perhaps 
they crossed the gully and went straight ahead,” 
said Running Dog. “Anyway, I believe they 
fooled the Blackfeet. We heard the Blackfeet 
scouts riding near us. I believe they were trying 
to find the Crows.” 

“If the Crows came this way they must be near 
us,” said Sun Bird. 

“We did not hear anything ” 

Running Dog was interrupted by the sound of a 
familiar voice from the darkness. 

“Ho, Dacotahs!” 

“It is White Otter!” cried Sun Bird. 

“Yes, my brother, I am here,” replied White 
Otter, as he suddenly appeared at the top of the 
ravine. 

The Ogalala was alone and on foot, and Sun 
Bird feared that he had met with disaster. He 
was about to ask for Little Raven, and Lean Wolf, 
when White Otter turned toward the plain and 
called softly. A moment afterward his compan- 
113 


THE WAR TRAIL 

ions came forward with the ponies. Their appear- 
ance filled Sun Bird with joy. He found it diffi- 
cult to conceal the emotion which welled up in his 
heart at the safe arrival of his beloved compan- 
ions. 

6 ( My brothers, you have come — I feel good 
again / 9 he said feelingly. 


CHAPTER X 


REBELLIOUS PONIES 

T HE Minneconjoux were eager to learn how 
White Otter had been able to get so near them 
without being heard. They were equally curious 
to know how he had located them. 

“I will tell you about it,” said White Otter. 
“We were over there on that ridge watching the 
fight. Then the Crows ran away. They came 
right toward us. We rode away ahead of them. 
When it got dark we met some riders. Then we 
turned this way. We heard some one riding past 
us. Then we came on. We went over there near 
where the Blackfeet are, when we heard Run- 
ning Dog and Big Crow. We did not know them. 
They were coming this way. We followed them. 
Then they stopped. We waited. Then we heard 
the call of the little gray fox. That made us feel 
good. But we were not sure about it. Then we 
heard those riders come into the gully. Then I 
115 


THE WAR TRAIL 

crawled up to find out about it. That is how we 
found you.” 

6 6 White Otter, you are a great warrior,” Sun 
Bird declared, enthusiastically. 

Then as the war party was complete he called 
a council of war to decide what should be done. 
The Sioux were agreed that the wisest plan would 
be to remain where they were until daylight. 

“It is the best thing to do,” said Sun Bird. 
“We know that the Crows and the Blackfeet are 
somewhere along this gully. It would be foolish 
to move toward them. When it gets light we will 
try to find out where they are.” 

He posted scouts in and about the ravine to 
watch for the approach of foes, while the war 
party lay down to sleep. There was no water, 
and both the Sioux and their ponies suffered from 
thirst. The ponies were particularly restless, and 
spent most of the night pawing the dry earth in 
the bottom of the ravine. However, Dancing Rab- 
bit assured his companions that there was a good 
pool a half day’s journey to the westward, and 
Sitting Eagle confirmed his words. 

“Perhaps the Blackfeet are at that place.” sug- 
gested Sun Bird. 

The night passed without incident, and at the 
first hint of dawn the scouts hurried in from the 
116 


REBELLIOUS PONIES 

plain. They said that they had neither seen nor 
heard anything of their enemies. It seemed, 
therefore, that either the Crows and the Black- 
feet had continued their mad race through the 
night, or else both had hidden themselves to wait 
for daylight. 

“Perhaps the Crows got away and the Black- 
feet have gone back to their village,” suggested 
one of the Minneconjoux. 

His companions had serious doubts of it. As 
soon as it was light enough to see across the plain, 
they crawled up the side of the ravine and looked 
anxiously for signs of their foes. As they were 
nowhere in sight, the Minneconjoux began to hope 
that the cheerful prophecy of their comrade was 
correct. Still, they feared it would be dangerous 
to rely upon it. 

“We must be cautious,” said Lean Wolf. 
“There are some good hiding places over there. 
Perhaps the Blackfeet are waiting for the Crows 
to show themselves.” 

There were a number of scattered stands of cot- 
tonwoods dotting the plain to the westward, and 
the Sioux realized that one of them might shelter 
their foes. They were particularly suspicious of 
the little grove which Dancing Rabbit pointed out 
as the spot which sheltered the pool. 

117 


THE WAR TRAIL 

“We must watch that place,” declared White 
Otter. 

“Yes, we will stay here and watch,” said Sun 
Bird. ‘ ‘ If our enemies are near us, pretty soon we 
will see their scouts.” 

As time passed, and they saw nothing to indi- 
cate that either the Crows or the Blackfeet were 
anywhere in the vicinity, the Sioux began to dis- 
cuss the advisability of moving cautiously along 
the bottom of the ravine. The ponies were grow- 
ing frantic from thirst and were raising consid- 
erable dust by their wild pawing in the stream 
bed. Some were beginning to snort and whinny, 
and the Sioux feared that the unmanageable little 
beasts might betray them to their foes. Then, 
too, their own throats were parched and aching, 
and they were eager to reach the little pool as 
soon as possible. 

“We will go,” Sun Bird said, finally. 

They believed that it would be folly to expose 
scouts upon the open plain, and they determined 
to keep to the shelter of the ravine until they were 
opposite the grove which sheltered the pool. The 
ponies appeared to understand that they were 
moving toward water, and the Sioux found it al- 
most impossible to hold them in control. For 
some moments the fractious little beasts created 
118 


REBELLIOUS PONIES 

the wildest sort of disorder, and the Minnecon- 
joux looked anxiously upon the heavy dnst cloud 
that rose above the ravine. 

“It is bad,” Sun Bird declared, uneasily, as he 
watched White Otter struggling to subdue the hot- 
tempered piebald. 

When the ponies had finally been brought under 
subjection, several warriors who rode quieter 
horses dismounted and crawled to the top of the 
ravine to search the plain. A heavy pall of dust 
hung over them, and they wondered if it had been 
seen by their foes. The latter, however, were no- 
where in sight, and the Sioux knew that unless 
they were watching from one of the groves they 
must have ridden from the locality. 

“We saw no one,” said the scouts when they 
overtook their companions. 

“It must be that our enemies went away while 
it was dark,” said a young warrior named Painted 
Bird. 

The Sioux, however, were suspicious. They 
determined to take nothing for granted. As they 
approached the first of the little groves they sent 
scouts along the ravine ahead of the war party to 
watch the plain and guard against blundering into 
their foes. They were riding at a fast pace, and 
119 


THE WAR TRAIL 

they realized that they would arrive opposite the 
pool before the day was half gone. 

6 ‘It is bad,” said White Otter. “We cannot go 
to that place until it grows dark. If we get near 
it, it will be hard to hold the ponies.” 

“It is true,” agreed Sun Bird. “I am thinking 
about it.” 

He had planned to move along the ravine until 
he was opposite the pool, and then wait until he 
could send scouts to reconnoiter the grove under 
cover of the night. He, too, realized, however, 
that it might be impossible to control the ponies 
once they got that near to the water. The riders 
were already having considerable difficulty in re- 
straining them, and Sun Bird feared that at any 
moment they might stampede and dash wildly 
up the side of the ravine. 

“We are raising a great dust,” Lean Wolf said, 
soberly. “If our enemies are watching they must 
see it.” 

“Yes, yes, it is bad,” Sun Bird replied, impa- 
tiently. “We must stop.” 

He galloped to the head of the company and 
called upon the Minneconjoux to halt. Many of 
them found difficulty in obeying the command. 
The fiery, half-wild ponies had apparently scented 
the water and it seemed to have driven them ma d. 

120 


REBELLIOUS PONIES 

In spite of their expert horsemanship the Sioux 
were unable to control them. Although by sheer 
strength and skill they finally brought them to a 
stop, they found it impossible to quiet them. 
Crazed with their desire for water, the frantic 
beasts plunged and reared and kicked and squealed 
and raised such a wild commotion that the Sioux 
were thrown into a panic. They were certain that 
if enemies were lurking at the pool they must 
surely have seen the dust and heard the noise 
created by the unmanageable ponies. 

“It is useless to wait here,” said some of the 
more impulsive warriors. “We may as well go 
ahead and see what comes of it.” 

“No, that would be foolish,” declared Sun Bird. 
“If the Blackfeet are hiding in that place they 
will see the dust. Perhaps they cannot hear the 
noise. Anyway, if we stay in this gully they will 
not know who we are. They must send scouts 
over here to find out about us. They will not do 
that until it gets dark. Then it will be easy to 
fool them.” 

“Those are good words,” White Otter agreed, 
heartily. 

“Yes, that is the way I feel about it,” declared 
Lean Wolf. 

“It is the only thing to do,” Sitting Eagle cried, 
121 


THE WAR TRAIL 

angrily. “Are we like the women who are afraid 
of the war ponies ? Are we like old men who have 
no strength in their arms? Does a Dacotah run 
to his enemy for water when he is thirsty? Come, 
my brothers, we are Dacotahs. We are men. 
Hold those horses. Throw them down. Kill them 
if you cannot overcome them. It is better to go 
against our enemies on foot than to let those fool- 
ish ponies carry us to our deaths. Sun Bird is a 
good war leader. You have heard his words. 
They are good. We will listen. We will stay here 
until it is safe to go ahead / 1 

The words of the famous Minneconjoux scout 
created a deep impression upon his comrades. He 
was a man whose daring achievements made him 
the idol of his people, and his counsel was seldom 
disputed. His daring challenge to their ability 
and manhood instantly roused the fighting blood 
of the Sioux, and they immediately accepted the 
task of bringing the fractious ponies under sub- 
jection. It was not easy, but the Minneconjoux 
were on their mettle, and, as White Otter had al- 
ready won control over the piebald, they perse- 
vered until the ponies were finally quieted. 

Order having been restored, many of the Sioux 
crept up the side of the ravine to watch the dis- 
tant stand of cottonwoods which they hoped to 
122 


REBELLIOUS PONIES 

reach at dark. They were suffering keenly from 
thirst, which had been greatly aggravated by their 
desperate struggle with the ponies. Some of them 
chewed mouthfuls of grass in an attempt to suck 
moisture into their burning throats. Others 
placed small pebbles beneath their tongues to in- 
crease the flow of saliva. All of them, however, 
bore their discomfort without complaint. It was 
a common occurrence for a warrior to endure both 
hunger and thirst, and they had been trained from 
infancy to suffer in silence. 

‘ 6 See, the day is passing, ’ 9 Sun Bird said, cheer- 
fully, as the sun sank slowly toward the west. 
4 ‘ Pretty soon we will be under those trees, drink- 
ing that water.’ ’ 

“ It is good,” the Minneconjoux murmured, 
thickly. 

Although they watched closely until the grove 
finally faded from sight in the evening shadows, 
they saw nothing of their foes. They were quite 
convinced that the Crows had eluded the Black- 
feet, and that the latter had gone to their village 
to boast of their victory. 

“We will go,” Sun Bird said, as darkness at 
last fell upon the plain. 

They moved eagerly along the ravine, and once 
more the parched ponies tried to bolt from the 
123 


THE WAR TRAIL 

control of their riders. The latter were still 
smarting from the rebnke of Sitting Eagle, and 
they soon brought the unruly little beasts under 
subjection. However, it was impossible to quiet 
them. They snorted and squealed and whinnied, 
and the Sioux realized that it was hopeless to try 
to reach the grove without being heard. 

4 ‘Well, if our enemies are over there they know 
that we are coming,” Sitting Eagle declared, ir- 
ritably. 

“It is true,” agreed Sun Bird. “But they do 
not know who we are. If the Blackfeet are over 
there they will take us for Crows. If the Crows 
are over there they will take us for Blackfeet. It 
is good. When we get near that place we will 
stop. Then we will send scouts over there to find 
out about it. If our enemies are there we will 
find out who they are. Then we will run away 
before they find out about us.” 

“It is good,” said Sitting Eagle. 

When they finally came opposite the grove which 
contained the pool they again fought the desperate 
ponies into submission and made heroic efforts to 
keep them quiet. Then Sun Bird selected White 
Otter and Sitting Eagle to go forward on foot to 
reconnoiter the cottonwoods. 

“Those great scouts will find out about it,” lie 

124 


REBELLIOUS PONIES 

boasted, as the two famous Dacotahs slipped away 
as noiselessly as shadows. 

It seemed a long time to the anxious Sioux be- 
fore White Otter finally returned and said that the 
grove was free from foes. The announcement 
filled them with joy. Throwing caution to the 
winds, they rode out of the ravine and raced reck- 
lessly toward the cottonwoods. Once at the pool 
it was impossible to restrain the ponies, and the 
riders were forced to wait until the frenzied ani- 
mals had satisfied their thirst. Then the Sioux 
plunged their feverish faces into the roily water 
and drank as eagerly as the ponies. 

“Ah,” Sun Bird sighed, contentedly, as he 
finally rose to his feet. 

Having drunk their fill, the ponies became quiet 
and turned to graze upon the scant growth of grass 
about the pool. The Sioux, however, remained 
alert. Their noisy arrival at the pool had made 
them uneasy. They had vague, disturbing pre- 
monitions of danger, and they feared to linger in 
the grove. 

“If our enemies come and surround this place 
it will be hard to get away,” Sun Bird said, anx- 
iously. ‘ ‘ Come, we will go. ’ ’ 

At that moment one of the ponies whinnied, and 
the Sioux were astounded to hear it answered 
125 


THE WAR TRAIL 


from the plain. Then they heard a horse gallop- 
ing toward the west. They turned to one another 
in alarm. 

“Our enemies have caught us I” they cried. 

“Wait, ’ * White Otter counseled, calmly. ‘ * I be- 
lieve that rider is a scout. Perhaps he is alone. 
We will listen. If he is with a war party then 
we will hear signals. If he keeps quiet there is 
nothing to fear.” 

“It is good,” agreed the Minneconjoux. 

They listened in tense silence. Then, as the 
moments passed and they heard nothing to suggest 
the approach of their foes, they felt considerably 
relieved. Still they were somewhat fearful about 
leaving the timber. They realized that either the 
Crows or the Blackfeet might have surrounded 
the grove and sent the scout forward as a decoy 
to lure them upon the open plain. 

“Well, my brothers, that rider knows that some 
one is at this pool,” declared Sun Bird. “If he 
is a scout he will tell his people about it. I be- 
lieve if we wait here something bad will come of 
it. If we go away our enemies will not know that 
the Dacotahs were here. If we expect to get to the 
great Blackfeet camp we must not let our enemies 
know about us.” 

The Sioux instantly saw the wisdom of his words 

126 


REBELLIOUS PONIES 

and agreed that it would be safer to abandon the 
grove and continue toward the mountains. Danc- 
ing Rabbit told them that if they continued to ride 
through the night, daylight would find them close 
upon the foothills. 

“It is good — we will go,” said Sun Bird. 

They left the grove and moved slowly across 
the plain in the direction of the ravine. The ponies 
were quiet and docile, and it seemed as if the 
clever little beasts were attempting to make 
amends for the anxiety and effort they had caused 
their riders a short time before. As the war party 
drew near the ravine Sun Bird ordered a halt 
while he sent scouts forward to reconnoiter. They 
soon returned and declared that the way was 
clear. 


CHAPTER XI 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 

PON reaching the ravine the Sioux turned 



1^7 toward the west and rode until daylight. 
Then they found themselves almost within the 
shadows of the great massive peaks which towered 
against the sky. The low timbered ridges of the 
foothills were still nearer at hand, and the air was 
scented with fragrance from the dense stand of 


pines. 


* ‘ It is good, * ’ declared Sun Bird. i 6 Pretty soon 
we will come to those great mountains. Then we 
can hide from our enemies until we find the Black- 
feet camp.” 

Having failed to find any further evidence of 
their foes, they began to feel more secure. They 
gave little thought to the horseman who had blun- 
dered upon them at the pool, for it appeared cer- 
tain that both the Crows and the Blackfeet had 
withdrawn from the vicinity. Encouraged by the 
thought, the Sioux determined to continue toward 
the mountains. 


128 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 

When they reached the first ridge of foothills, 
Sitting Eagle, who was familiar with the region, 
led the way along a game trail. It wound up- 
ward from the plain, and brought them to a grassy 
meadow with a cold bubbling spring in one corner 
of it. As it offered an attractive camp site, the 
Sioux determined to stop. 

After the ponies had been picketed and the camp 
established, several young warriors went into the 
woods with their bows to look for game. It was 
not long before they returned with a fat, young, 
white-tail deer. 

As the camp site was a considerable height above 
the plain and well hidden by the heavy stand of 
timber, the Sioux determined to risk making a 
small fire. Then they broiled the deer meat and 
ate with keen enjoyment. They had suddenly re- 
laxed. For the moment the hardships and perils 
of the war trail were forgotten. They talked and 
laughed and told stories, and became as carefree 
and happy as boys. The merry feast continued 
well into the night. When it finally ended, the 
sentinels took their positions about the camp while 
their companions wrapped themselves in their 
robes and lay down to sleep. 

Shortly after daylight the Sioux descended to 
the plain and rode northward along the base of 
129 


THE WAR TRAIL 


the ridge. They kept within bowshot of the tim- 
ber so that they might conceal themselves if they 
found signs of their foes. Dancing Rabbit de- 
clared that the Blackfeet camp was a number of 
days* travel farther to the northward, and for the 
present at least the Sioux had little fear of blun- 
dering into those foes. However, they believed 
that the Crows might be somewhere in the vicinity 
and they determined to keep a sharp watch. 

“We will keep going ahead until we get near 
the Blackfeet camp,” said Sun Bird. “Then we 
will stop. Then some of us will climb those great 
mountains and look for the Blackfeet lodges.” 

For two days they traveled cautiously along the 
edge of the foothills without seeing anything to 
arouse their suspicions. Game, however, was 
abundant. They saw countless numbers of buf- 
faloes, great herds of elk, and many deer and 
antelope. 

‘ ‘ This is a good place to live in , 9 9 declared White 
Otter. 

“Yes, there is plenty of game here,” replied 
Sun Bird. 

Then they again saw Huya, the war bird. The 
eagle was soaring high up near the snowclad peaks. 
The Sioux watched it with superstitious premoni- 
130 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 

tions, They believed it was an omen — a warning 
that foes were near at hand. 

“See, Hnya has come hack to tell us about our 
enemies / ’ said Sun Bird. “I believe we are near 
the Blackfeet. We must watch out.” 

Disturbed by the appearance of Huya, the war 
bird, and determined to run no risk of betraying 
themselves to their foes, the Sioux decided to 
seek shelter in the foothills while scouts climbed 
the ridges to look for the Blackfeet camp. While 
the war party moved cautiously along the edge 
of the plain, Sun Bird sent scouts into the timber 
to look for a suitable camp site. At the end of 
the day they found a sheltered grassy park high 
up near the summit of the ridge, and the Sioux 
determined to make it their rendezvous until they 
were ready to advance upon the Blackfeet. 

The following day, at dawn, Sun Bird and White 
Otter left the war party and set out along the 
summit of the ridge to look for traces of the Black- 
feet camp. Other scouts rode cautiously along the 
edge of the plain to. watch for signs of the Crows 
or scouting parties of Blackfeet. 

Although Sun Bird and White Otter had a 
splendid view of the plain they failed to discover 
any evidence of the Blackfeet camp. When they 
finally saw a large herd of buffaloes grazing con- 
131 


THE WAR TRAIL 

tentedly a considerable distance to the northward, 
they became convinced that the hostile camp was 
far beyond their view. 

‘ 1 It is useless to look any more,” declared White 
Otter. “The Blackfeet camp is a long ways off.” 

“Yes, it must be so,” said Sun Bird. “We will 
go back and tell our friends about it.” 

“Wait,” White Otter cried, eagerly. “Here is 
the trail of great Matohota.” 

Sun Bird hastened to his side and saw the fresh 
tracks of a grizzly bear. The trail led down into 
the timber. The footprints were of unusual size, 
and the Sioux studied them with flashing eyes. 
The Dacotahs considered killing great Matohota an 
exploit worthy of the bravest warrior, and only 
second in importance to killing an enemy. A neck- 
lace of bear claws was accepted as positive proof 
of the hunting ability and courage of the wearer. 
Although both Sun Bird and White Otter had 
killed several of those fierce beasts, they became 
enthusiastic at the idea of securing the great claws 
of the bear which had recently passed. 

“If we kill Matohota we will have something 
to show our friends,” said White Otter. 

“He cannot be far away,” Sun Bird declared, 
hopefully. 4 ‘ Come, we will follow him. ’ ’ 

They followed the trail down through the tim- 
132 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 
ber, and about half way down the ridge it brought 
them within sight of another open grassy park. 
Aware that those places were favorite feeding 
places for elk and deer, the expert young hunters 
realized that the grizzly might have gone there 
to feast upon the carcass of one of those animals. 

“We must be careful / 9 White Otter warned, 
softly. 

They approached the spot with great caution, 
peering anxiously between the trees to discover 
the grizzly. As the wind favored them, they hoped 
to get within bow range without alarming their 
game. However, when they finally came in full 
view of the park the bear was nowhere in sight. 
They were keenly disappointed. 

“Matohota has gone on,” said Sun Bird. 

1 ‘We will see,” replied White Otter. 

They stole to the edge of the timber and looked 
anxiously across the grassy meadow. The trail 
of the bear was plainly visible through the high 
grass. As they followed it with their eyes they 
suddenly discovered something lying in the far 
comer of the park. One glance told them that it 
was dead, but it was some time before they could 
make sure what it was. Then they looked at each 
other in astonishment. They had suddenly identi- 
fied the object as a dead pony. The discovery 
133 


THE WAR TRAIL 

made them cautions, and they sank noiselessly into 
the bushes to watch. 

“It is mysterious,” whispered Sun Bird. “How 
did that pony come here?” 

“We will try to find out about it, but first we 
must watch,” replied White Otter. 

They watched a long time, searching the bor- 
ders of the meadow with great care. It was dif- 
ficult to learn much about the dead pony from 
where they were, but they saw that the carcass 
had been partly eaten, and they believed it had 
been there for some time. 

“It is good,” said White Otter. “Matohota 
comes here to eat that pony. If we wait here we 
will see him.” 

“Perhaps he is sleeping over there in those 
bushes,” suggested Sun Bird. 

They knew that after gorging itself with meat, 
a bear often would lie down to sleep near the car- 
cass, so that it would find a meal close at hand 
when it again became hungry. It seemed prob- 
able, therefore, that the great creature which they 
sought might be concealed somewhere within bow 
range of them. They looked carefully along the 
edge of the woods, hoping to discover a sign which 
would tell them where the bear had entered the 
timber. The undergrowth appeared undisturbed, 
134 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 
and, as the trail faded out at the spot where the 
grass had been trampled down about the carcass, 
there seemed little chance of learning what they 
wished to know unless they made their way to 
the dead pony. 

“We must go over there and find out about it,” 
Sun Bird proposed, finally. 

“Come,” said White Otter. 

They moved through the timber as stealthily 
as wolves, and when they drew ijear the carcass 
they again stopped to watch and listen. Then they 
circled to find the trail of the bear. They came 
upon a wide game trail leading down from the 
park, and as they stooped to study it they dis- 
covered many tracks. Among them were the foot- 
prints of the great gray timber wolves, and the 
clumsy round paw-marks of a mountain lion. The 
latter track was fresh, and it was evident that the 
great cat had passed over the trail since daylight. 
The tracks of the hear, however, were missing. 

“Matohota did not come this way,” said Sun 
Bird. 

“Perhaps he is close by,” White Otter said, 
cautiously. “We will try to find out where he is. 
Then we will go and look at that pony. It came 
along this trail. See, here is a track.” 

He showed Sun Bird a faint and indistinct im- 

135 


THE WAR TRAIL 


pression of a hoof at one side of the trail. It was 
some days old, and offered them little information. 

‘ 4 Come, we will find ont what has become of 
Matohota, and then we will come back here and 
find out about this thing.’ ’ said White Otter. 

They soon came upon the trail of the bear. As 
White Otter had guessed, it circled around the 
edge of the park, and led back toward the top of 
the ridge. It was plain, therefore, that the bear 
had its den somewhere up there among the ledges, 
and came to the park to feed during the night or at 
daylight. 

“Now we know what to do,” declared White 
Otter. “First we will go and look at that pony. 
Then we will go down that trail and try to find 
some more tracks. Then we will come back to this 
place and wait for Matohota.” 

“It is good,” said Sun Bird. 

When they reached the dead pony they were 
surprised to see the shaft of an arrow protruding 
from behind its shoulder. For a moment or so 
they studied it in silence. Then White Otter 
knelt, and drew his knife. 

“Perhaps we will find out what we want to 
know,” he said. 

He extracted the arrow and examined it with 
great care, and then he passed it to Sun Bird. The 
136 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 
latter studied it a long time. He noted that the 
shaft was of willow and feathered along the sides 
for almost a hand- width. The arrow was consider- 
ably longer than those used by the Dacotahs, and 
the point was made of an unusual red flint. It 
was the deeply notched model of the war arrows. 

“Well, what do you make of it?” White Otter 
inquired, as Sun Bird finished examining it. 

“It is not a Dacotah arrow,” replied Sun Bird. 
“It is not a Crow arrow. It was not made by the 
Blackfeet. I do not know who made it.” 

“I cannot tell you about it,” said White Otter, 
as Sun Bird returned the mysterious arrow. “I 
do not know about the people who live in this 
country. I know the Crow arrows. I have seen 
the Blackfeet arrows. I do not know the others.” 

“I will show it to Sitting Eagle and Lean Wolf,” 
said Sun Bird. “Perhaps they will know about 
it.” 

As there seemed to be no other way of learning 
its identity, they dismissed the arrow from their 
minds and turned their attention upon the dead 
pony. It was a pinto, and appeared to have been 
dead a number of days. They had little doubt 
that, having been wounded on the plain, it had 
followed the game trail to the spot where it died. 

“Perhaps the man who owned that pony rode 

137 


THE WAR TRAIL 

up here to get away from his enemies / 9 suggested 
Sun Bird. 

“ Perhaps/ ’ said White Otter. 

Then, as the day had almost ended, they realized 
that if they intended to remain and watch for 
Matohota it was time to find a hiding place. As 
there was not sufficient breeze to stir the leaves, 
White Otter held a moistened finger above his 
head to learn the direction of the air current. 
What there was seemed to come from the north 
side of the park. As the bear was expected to 
approach from the west, and the bait was on the 
east side of the park, the Sioux decided to hide 
themselves to the southward of the dead pony. 
Then if the uncertain breeze should suddenly shift 
to another quarter they would still be to the lee- 
ward of the bear. 

“ Matohota is strong,” cautioned White Otter. 
“We must drive our arrows deep into his body. 
We must not go too far away.” 

They concealed themselves in the undergrowth 
within easy bowshot of the bait and determined to 
watch until the bear appeared. The light was 
already fading from the park, and the heavy even- 
ing shadows were forming at the edge of the woods. 
Then, as darkness settled down, the moon flooded 
the little park with its silvery light. 

138 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 

“It is good,” whispered Sun Bird. “Wakan- 
tunka has sent Hanyetuwi, the night sun, to give 
us light.” 

“It is good,” replied White Otter. 

They had little hope that Matohota would ap- 
pear before daylight, and still they realized that 
he might come to feed under cover of the night. 
It was not long, however, before they heard other 
prowlers approaching the bait. The crackling of 
brush, and soft, stealthy footfalls caused them to 
watch expectantly. A lithe, shadowy form moved 
swiftly into the moonlight. It stopped a moment 
and raised a long pointed snout into the air. Then 
it trotted gracefully to the bait. The Sioux recog- 
nized it as Huhasapedan, the fox. They watched 
with great interest as the suspicious creature 
circled warily about the carcass, stopping in alarm 
at the slightest sound, and peering nervously into 
the shadows. It had barely begun to eat, when 
a second woods prowler entered the park and 
moved slowly toward the bait. The fox crouched 
behind the pony and watched uneasily. 

“Wolf,” whispered WTiite Otter. 

The wolf had discovered the fox and was brist- 
ling and growling, as it walked stiffly toward the 
pony. Awed by the threats of its formidable ri- 
val, the fox slunk to the edge of the timber and sat 
139 


THE WAR TRAIL 

upon its haunches to watch until the wolf left the 
carcass. The wolf feasted ravenously, tearing 
large pieces of flesh from the bait and growling 
savagely as it ate. It was one of the great gaunt 
timber wolves, and the Sioux longed to pierce it 
with their arrows. They resisted the temptation, 
however, for they knew that Matohota might be- 
come suspicions at the scent of fresh blood. 

“It wonld be foolish/ ’ said White Otter. 

The wolf refused to leave until it had gorged 
itself with meat, and then it moved threateningly 
toward the fox. The latter immediately retreated 
across the park and failed to show itself until the 
wolf had slunk into the shadows. 

The fox had barely returned to the bait when 
it was again interrupted by another nocturnal 
prowler. A short, catlike snarl sounded from the 
direction of the game trail, and as the fox paused 
to listen, a long, crouching form appeared at the 
edge of the moonlight. Two glowing eyes blazed 
defiance, and the fox bounded into the woods. 

“It is fierce Imutanka, ,, breathed Sun Bird. 

They had instantly recognized the stealthy 
prowler as a mountain lion. They watched with 
bated breath as the great cat moved cautiously 
toward the carcass. In spite of its size and strength 
it seemed as wary and fearful as Huhasapedan, the 
140 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 
fox. It would slink forward a few paces and then 
stop and look furtively about the park. Once it 
sniffed suspiciously, and parted its lips in a silent 
snarl. Had it caught the wolf scent? Was great 
Matohota approaching? The Sioux grew tense at 
the thought. As the lion drew nearer the pony 
it crouched close to the ground, growling and ner- 
vously lashing its tail. It appeared to be prepar- 
ing to spring upon the carcass. It was an unusu- 
ally large specimen, and the Sioux were eager to 
secure so noble a trophy. 

“Come, we will kill Imutanka,” suggested Sun 
Bird. 

“Wait,” cautioned White Otter. 

A moment afterward a great bulky form ap- 
peared at the opposite side of the park. The Sioux 
recognized it at once. It was great Matohota, the 
grizzly. His sudden appearance caused their 
hearts to beat wildly against their ribs, while their 
eyes flashed with the light of battle. He was a 
foe worthy of the bravest warrior, and the young 
Dacotahs longed for the chance to engage him in 
battle. 

A slight breeze was stirring from the eastward, 
and Matohota had evidently caught the scent of 
the mountain lion. He had raised his head and 
was staring across the park. The Sioux looked 
141 


THE WAR TRAIL 


toward the lion. It, too, had discovered the bear, 
and was crouching behind the pony, and grumbling 
threateningly. 

“Imutanka will run away,” whispered Sun Bird. 

“ Watch!” cautioned "White Otter. 

The bear had ambled clumsily into the open, 
and was following its trail across the park. The 
Sioux turned their eyes upon the lion. They ex- 
pected to see it slinking away. Imutanka, how- 
ever, showed no such intention. His blazing eyes 
and ugly snarls made it plain that he had no idea 
of running away. Still, the Sioux could not be- 
lieve he would dare to oppose the mighty Mato- 
hota. 

“Imutanka looks brave, but he will run away,” 
insisted Sun Bird. 

“We will see,” said WTiite Otter. 

As the bear came closer the Sioux saw that it 
was even larger than they had guessed it to be. 
Matohota looked more than a match for sinewy 
Imutanka, but the latter still held his ground. It 
was apparent that having secured possession of 
the carcass he had no thought of surrendering it 
without a fight. The Sioux thrilled at the pos- 
sibility. 

“If Imutanka stays there we will see something 
to talk about,” Sun Bird whispered, eagerly. 

14:2 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 
u Yes, yes, it will be a great fight, ’ ’ replied White 
Otter. 

The bold defiance of the lion seemed to have 
made Matohota realize the need of cantion. He 
had stopped and was shaking his great head from 
side to side and growling fiercely. Imntanka re- 
plied to his challenge with short, throaty snarls. 
Then for some moments each gazed into the blazing 
eyes of the other and appeared to be estimating 
the strength and courage of its adversary. The 
Sioux were fascinated by the nnnsnal spectacle. 
For the moment their desire to kill was overcome 
by their curiosity to learn the outcome of the fight. 

It was some time, however, before the huge 
Matohota made up his mind to attack his rival. 
Then, having determined to gain possession of 
the bait, he rushed furiously upon the lion. The 
great sinewy cat had little difficulty in avoiding 
him. Then, as Matohota whirled about with 
amazing agility, the lion made its spring. Mato- 
hota reared upon his hind legs and struck the lion 
to earth with his huge paw. Imutanka uttered a 
sharp whine of pain and sprang aside. It was 
evident that Matohota had drawn first blood. He 
dropped to all fours and turned quickly about as 
the lion circled him. The Sioux saw that Imu- 
t'anka was bleeding freely from a deep gash in the 
143 


THE WAR TRAIL 

neck. However, the wound only seemed to rouse 
the lion to greater fury. Spitting, snarling, and 
growling, it glided stealthily about its adversary, 
watching for an opening. Matohota, however, was 
equally alert, and in spite of his great bulk he was 
sufficiently quick to baffle his foe. Each time Imu- 
tanka crouched to spring, Matohota rose upon his 
hind legs and held his great forepaws ready to 
deal another deadly blow. Then the lion would 
immediately relax and attempt to glide behind 
him, and Matohota would drop down and whirl 
about in time to prevent the attack. 

“ Matohota is a great fighter,” Sun Bird told 
White Otter. 

“Imutanka is quick, he will fool Matohota,” 
replied White Otter. 

A moment later his prophecy was fulfilled. The 
lion had crouched to spring, and Matohota reared 
to protect himself. Then Imutanka sprang far to 
one side, and as Matohota dropped Imutanka was 
directly behind him. Before Matohota could turn 
the lion was upon his back. Its great claws tore 
down through the thick, shaggy coat, and ripped 
great gashes in his flesh and its flashing fangs 
sank deep into the back of his neck. Quick to 
understand his peril, Matohota threw himself and 
attempted to roll over upon his back. Failing in 
144 


AN UNUSUAL ADVENTURE 
his efforts to dislodge the lion, Matohota rose 
upon his hind legs and fell over backward to crash 
the lion beneath his great bulk. Imutanka was too 
cunning to be caught. Releasing his hold he 
sprang away, and as Matohota crashed to the 
ground the lion jumped for his throat. Matohota 
caught him in a crushing embrace, and the tight 
became deadly. Rolling wildly over the ground 
the ferocious beasts bit and tore each other until 
it seemed that neither could survive the encounter. 

The Sioux looked on with glistening eyes. The 
savage duel had roused their own hot fighting blood 
and they were eager to enter the fray. 

“Come, we will kill both of them,” cried Sun 
Bird, as he fitted an arrow to his bow. 

“Wait, wait,” urged White Otter. “We will 
see who is the greatest warrior.” 

They watched, therefore, while the fight raged 
with unabated fury. At last the superior strength 
of the great Matohota gave him the victory. The 
lion broke free and sprang from the range of his 
deadly paws. It crouched and faced him for a 
moment, and then as he reared to defend himself, 
Imutanka weakened and turned to slink away into 
the night. 

“Come!” cried Sun Bird, as he rose to his feet. 

Two arrows pierced the heart of fierce Imutanka 

145 


THE WAR TRAIL 

and lie fell dead in his tracks. Matohota whirled 
about at the sharp twang of the bowstrings, and 
roared defiance at the two figures on the edge of 
the moonlight. Then as he rushed forward to 
destroy them in his wrath, he, too, collapsed from 
the shock of two burning arrows in his great hairy 
chest. The next moment he rose to his feet and 
reared unsteadily to repeat the tactics which had 
proved successful against fierce Imutanka. This 
time, however, it was a fatal error, for the Sioux 
drove their arrows through his heart and great 
Matohota crashed headlong into the grass and fol- 
lowed Imutanka on the Long Trail. 

“Hi, we have done a big* thing,’ ’ Sun Bird cried, 
excitedly, as he rushed into the park to examine 
the trophies. 

“We will have something to tell about,’ ’ laughed 
White Otter. 


CHAPTER XII 


AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE FLATHEADS 

HE elated young Sioux lost little time in re- 



JL moving the great claws from Matohota and 
the cruel, sharp talons from tierce Imutanka. They 
longed to take the pelts as well, hut they realized 
that it would be folly to burden themselves with 
them. They spent some time, however, examining 
the wounds which the savage creatures had in- 
flicted upon each other. The lion had bitten deeply 
into the back of Matohota ? s neck and ripped ter- 
rible gashes in his back. Matohota had taken full 
revenge. His great claws had torn gaping wounds 
in the chest and shoulders of Imutanka and it was 
evident that the lion would have expired from loss 
of blood if the Sioux had not ended its agony with 
their arrows. They decided, therefore, that great 
Matohota should be credited with victory. 

“Imutanka was very brave, but Matohota was 
too strong for him,” declared Sun Bird. 

“Yes, Matohota won the fight,” agreed White 
Otter. 

As the night was far advanced they determined 


147 


THE WAR TRAIL 

to wait until daylight before setting out to rejoin 
their companions. They spent some time dancing 
solemnly about their victims, and chanting their 
war songs. Then they opened the carcasses of the 
bear and the lion and removed the hearts. They 
cut them into two parts and ate them with super- 
stitious zeal. It was an ancient custom of the Da- 
cotahs, who believed that by consuming the heart 
of a particularly strong and courageous bear or 
lion they would absorb the strength and courage 
of the animal itself. 

At dawn the Sioux determined to follow the 
game trail to the plain, in the hope of encounter- 
ing some of the war party. They had thoughtfully 
cut the arrows from the bodies of Matohota and 
Imutanka so that if either the Blackfeet or the 
Crows chanced to visit the spot they would be un- 
able to guess who had ventured upon their hunting 
grounds. 

‘ 6 Perhaps we will find out something about that 
pony,” suggested Sun Bird, as they moved slowly 
down the game trail. 

“See, here are the tracks of Imutanka,” said 
White Otter. 

The trail of the lion was plainly visible. The 
Sioux gave little attention to it. Their interest in 
fierce Imutanka had ended with his death. Thev 
148 


AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE FLATHEADS 
were curious, however, to learn more about the 
unfortunate pony. They watched closely to find 
its tracks. They were faint and far apart, and 
although Sun Bird and White Otter were expert 
trailers they could gain little information from the 
unsatisfactory trail. 

Then the game trail suddenly led them to an 
open plateau which offered an extended view of 
the plain. They saw a small company of horse- 
men riding toward the ridge. They studied them 
closely. There were eight. 

‘ ‘ Perhaps our friends are looking for us, ’ 1 said 
Sun Bird. 

White Otter remained silent. His whole atten- 
tion was concentrated upon the approaching horse- 
men. They were a considerable distance below 
him and some distance from the base of the ridge. 
It was difficult to identify them, but the Ogalala 
was straining his eyes in the attempt. He was 
particularly noting the ponies, as he had become 
thoroughly familiar with the color and type of 
every animal in the Minneconjoux war party. He 
failed to recognize any of the ponies which were 
approaching the timber. One was a buckskin, 
and there were two pintos. There were several 
such animals in the Sioux war party, but they dif- 
fered in type from the ponies on the plain. White 
149 


THE WAR TRAIL 


Otter was suspicious of the approaching horsemen. 
Sun Bird, too, was becoming uneasy about them. 

“Who are they?” he asked, anxiously. 

“They are not our people,” WTiite Otter as- 
sured him. “I do not know who they are. Do 
you know them?” 

“No,” replied Sun Bird. 

They watched anxiously while the riders drew 
nearer the base of the ridge. As they finally came 
within bow range of the timber, they stopped and 
began to watch the ridge. For a moment the 
Sioux wondered if the horsemen had discovered 
them. It seemed impossible, as they had hidden 
themselves in the undergrowth the moment they 
discovered the riders. 

“No, they did not see us,” White Otter declared, 
confidently. “ I believe they are scouts. Perhaps 
they are Blackfeet.” 

“No, they are not Blackfeet,” said Sun Bird. 
“I know those people a long ways off.” 

“W^ell, they do not look like Crows,” WTiite 
Otter told him. 

“No, they are not Crows,” replied Sun Bird. 

“WTio are they?” demanded Wliite Otter. 

“I cannot tell you that until they come closer,” 
Sun Bird told him. 

In the meantime one of the horsemen had left 

150 


AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE FLATHEADS 
his companions and was riding cautiously toward 
the ridge. His friends were watching him closely 
and seemed ready to rush to his assistance at the 
first warning of danger. As the scout drew 
steadily nearer, the Sioux studied him with great 
care. Sun Bird was positive that he was not a 
Blackfoot, and both of them were equally certain 
that he was not a Crow. The Crows allowed their 
hair to grow to great length, and wore it in two 
massive braids which often fell below their knees. 
The man who was approaching the ridge, however, 
had a great abundance of rather short, unbraided 
hair, which fell loosely about his shoulders. As 
Sun Bird noted it, and the high, peculiar shape of 
the warrior’s head he suddenly identified him. 

“Now I know about him,” he told White Otter. 
“He is a Flathead. It is bad. They are enemies 
of my people. We must watch out.” 

“I have heard my grandfather tell about those 
people,” said White Otter. 

He recalled the stories which old Wolf Robe 
had told about how the Flatheads flattened the 
heads of their children by tightly binding the 
skulls of the babies between stiff slabs of bark, and 
keeping them in the vise until the skulls were 
pressed into the desired shape. Those strange 
people considered a high, flat skull a great mark 
151 


THE WAR TRAIL 

of beauty. As they were a northern tribe, hovering 
about the mountains, it was the first time White 
Otter had encountered them. He studied the ap- 
proaching rider with curious interest. 

“They are great hunters / * Sun Bird told him. 
“I believe these riders are coming to this ridge 
to hunt.” 

“Perhaps they will follow this trail,” suggested 
White Otter. “Perhaps they will go up there 
where we killed Matohota, to watch for game. ’ ’ 

Sun Bird started at the suggestion. It appeared 
to have offered an interesting possibility. He 
drew the mysterious arrow from his bowcase, and 
smiled significantly at White Otter. 

“ Now I know about this thing, ’ ’ he said. ‘ ‘ This 
arrow came from the Flatheads.” 

White Otter nodded understandingly. 

In the meantime the Flathead scout had reached 
the base of the ridge and disappeared from their 
sight. They turned their attention to the com- 
pany of horsemen who were waiting on the plain. 
They seemed to be watching for the signal to ad- 
vance. 

“Those people are very cautious,” said White 
Otter. 

“Perhaps they are afraid of the Blackfeet,” Sun 
Bird told him. 


152 


AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE FLATHEADS 

Then they heard a shout from the base of the 
ridge, and the horsemen cantered briskly toward 
the timber. The Sioux realized that it was time to 
move from the plateau. They believed it would 
be easy to return to the top of the ridge and escape 
from their enemies. Sun Bird, however, showed 
a desire to linger. 

“Those look like good ponies/ ’ he told White 
Otter, as his eyes twinkled mischievously. “The 
Flatheads are our enemies. They have killed some 
of my people. I feel like taking away some of 
those ponies.’ ’ 

“You are the leader, I will follow you,” WThite 
Otter said, quietly. 

“It is good,” Sun Bird declared, enthusiastic- 
ally. 

Their first thought, however, was to conceal 
themselves sufficiently near the game trail to see 
the Flatheads if they passed. It was a bold re- 
solve, and the eyes of the daring young Sioux 
flashed with excitement. They had been taught 
from infancy that the noblest aim of a warrior 
was to inflict punishment upon his enemies, and 
they determined to make the most of their oppor- 
tunity. They concealed themselves within easy 
bowshot of the trail, and waited anxiously for the 
153 


THE WAR TRAIL 

Flatheads to appear. It was not long before the 
Sioux heard them approaching. 

“They are coming / ’ whispered Sun Bird. 

They watched in breathless suspense, and in a 
few moments they saw the first horseman appear 
at the edge of the plateau. His companions fol- 
lowed closely behind him. The Sioux were greatly 
surprised when the Flatheads stopped their ponies 
in the center of the open park and began to dis- 
mount. Then the ponies were left with two war- 
riors and the other members of the company passed 
up the game trail on foot. The Sioux had a splen- 
did view of them at close range. They were tall, 
muscular men, whose high, flattened skulls gave 
them a weird and sinister expression. As they 
were not painted for war, the Sioux believed they 
were hunters. 

“Perhaps they will find our tracks,” Sun Bird 
whispered, uneasily, after they had passed. 

White Otter looked serious. The possibility 
had already flashed through his mind, and he was 
troubled about it. He knew that even one indis- 
tinct impression of a fresh moccasin track would 
arouse the suspicions of the Flatheads, and send 
them hurrying to the plateau to investigate. Then 
it would be impossible to capture the ponies, and 
difficult to get away. 


154 


AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE FLATHEADS 

i ‘The ground is hard,” Sun Bird said, hope- 
fully. “We did not make many tracks.” 

“The eyes of a hunter are sharp,” White Otter 
cautioned him. 

Realizing that there was nothing to be gained 
by worrying over the possibility of the Flatheads 
discovering their tracks, the Sioux dismissed the 
thought from their minds and turned their atten- 
tion upon the warriors with the ponies. The lat- 
ter had incautiously turned loose the ponies to 
graze in the center of the park and had stationed 
themselves on opposite sides of the plateau to 
watch them. The Sioux instantly saw their op- 
portunity. 

“Those warriors are very foolish,” Sun Bird 
said, excitedly. “Now we can creep up and get 
two of those ponies. ’ 9 

“We must be quick,” White Otter told him. 
“Those other warriors may come back.” 

“I will take that yellow pony, it looks fast,” said 
Sun Bird. 

“I will take the spotted pony with the white 
tail,” said White Otter. 

Having made their selection, the Sioux realized 
that they must attempt their daring coup without 
a moment’s delay. They moved through the un- 
dergrowth with the alert, silent stealth of Huhasa- 
155 


THE WAR TRAIL 


pedan, the fox. When they were almost at the 
edge of the park they stopped to plan their reck- 
less dash upon the ponies. The animals which 
they hoped to secure were grazing near the edge 
of the timber and the Flathead who guarded them 
was picking berries a short distance away. The 
Sioux crawled a bowlength nearer. Then as one 
of the ponies suddenly raised its head, they stopped 
and waited with thumping hearts to learn if they 
had been discovered. The unsuspecting animal 
resumed its feeding, however, and the Sioux 
breathed more easily. Again they moved care- 
fully toward the border of the park. Their eyes 
were fixed upon the ponies, and their ears were 
open to catch the first warning that the Flatheads 
had found their tracks. 

WTien they finally reached the edge of the tim- 
ber, the ponies which they had selected were al- 
most within reach of them. They were grazing 
quietly, and the long rawhide lariats were trail- 
ing between their feet. The Flathead had turned 
his back upon them and was stooped over search- 
ing for berries in the long grass. The warrior 
on the opposite side of the park was lying in the 
shade of a tree. The Sioux realized that their 
opportunity was at hand. Each fastened his eyes 
upon the animal he planned to capture and pre- 
156 


AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE FLATHEADS 
pared to rush into the park. At that moment, 
however, they heard a signal from the upper end 
of the game trail. The truth instantly flashed 
through their minds. The Flathead hunters had 
discovered their trail. 

“Come!” cried White Otter. 

They jumped to their feet and rushed recklessly 
into the park. Then as the startled ponies turned 
in panic, the Sioux sprang forward and seized the 
lariats. The next moment they had mounted and 
were riding furiously down the game trail. They 
chuckled with boyish glee as they heard the 
alarmed Flathead guards yelling frantically for 
their companions. 


CHAPTER XIII 


A CLEVER STRATAGEM 


T the time that Sun Bird and White Otter set 



r\ out to climb the ridge to search for the 
Blackfeet camp, Lean Wolf and Sitting Eagle rode 
northward along the edge of the timber to look for 
signs of their enemies. They were particularly 
anxious to locate the Crows, who, they feared, were 
somewhere in the vicinity. They rode until the day 
was half gone, and then, having seen nothing of 
their foes, determined to return to their com- 
panions. As they were cantering slowly toward a 
deep ravine which they had crossed earlier in the 
day, their ponies suddenly began to raise their 
ears and whinny. The Sioux instantly stopped in 


alarm. 


“ Watch out!” cautioned Lean Wolf. 

He had barely given the warning when a great 
company of horsemen rode out of the ravine and 
raced toward the astounded Sioux. The latter 
instantly recognized the riders as Crows. They 
were almost upon them and the Sioux wheeled 


158 


A CLEVER STRATAGEM 
their ponies and rode madly across the plain. 

6 ‘This way! This way!” cried Sitting Eagle, 
as he turned toward the north. 

The Crows were within bowshot and their ar- 
rows were falling all about the crouching Sioux. 
The latter urged their ponies to a frantic burst 
of speed to escape from the fierce attack. Stride 
by stride they distanced their pursuers until they 
were beyond arrow range. Then the Crows with- 
held their arrows and began to lash their ponies 
in an attempt to again get within bow range. 

4 4 Keep low on your pony,” cautioned Lean 
Wolf. 4 4 Perhaps they do not know who we are.” 

4 4 Yes, yes, we will try to fool them,” replied 
Sitting Eagle. 

Then as the two ponies raced along side by side 
he told Lean Wolf about a narrow, shut-in canon 
which extended back into the foothills. He said 
it was only a short distance ahead of them. 

4 4 If we run into that place the Crows cannot 
get us,” Sitting Eagle declared, confidently. 

4 4 It is good, we will go there,” agreed Lean 
Wolf. 

The Crows were trying desperately to come 
within arrow range, but the gallant Sioux ponies 
were holding their lead and their riders had little 
fear of being overtaken. They believed that the 
159 


THE WAR TRAIL 

Crow ponies had reached the limit of their speed 
and that further urging would cause them to col- 
lapse. 

The Sioux finally reached the canon a safe dis- 
tance ahead of their pursuers. After they had 
ridden through the narrow entrance, they dis- 
mounted and sought safety behind two great boul- 
ders which guarded the pass. 

“Now we can hold off our enemies,” Sitting 
Eagle said, with evident relief. 

“Yes, it will be hard for them to come through 
here,” declared Lean Wolf. 

The Crows, however, showed no disposition to 
make the attempt. They seemed to realize the 
strength of the Sioux position and appeared re- 
luctant to make an attack. They gathered in a 
compact group well beyond arrow range, and held 
a council of war. 

“They will wait until it gets dark,” declared 
Sitting Eagle. “Then they will try to get into 
this place.” 

“We will be ready,” Lean Wolf said, doggedly. 
“But perhaps the Crows will keep us here a long 
time. We have no water. It is bad.” 

“There is a little pool a short ways behind us, 
and there is plenty of grass for the ponies,” Sit- 
ting Eagle assured him. 

160 


A CLEVER STRATAGEM 

“It is good,” Lean Wolf declared, heartily. 
“We can stay here nntil the Crows get tired and 
go away.” 

When the day finally ended and twilight fell 
npon the plain, the Sioux became more alert. They 
feared that the crafty Crows would make an at- 
tempt to creep into the canon under cover of the 
darkness, and they determined to be prepared. 
Crouching behind the bowlders, they peered anx- 
iously into the night, listening for the sound of 
stealthy footfalls at the entrance to the canon. 
Then, as time passed and the stillness was un- 
broken, they began to wonder. Had the Crows 
suddenly departed ? The Sioux had grave doubts. 

“No, they have not gone away,” Lean Wolf 
told Sitting Eagle. “I believe they took us for 
Blackfeet. They are very mad at those people. 
I believe they will try hard to kill us . 9 9 

“Listen!” cautioned Sitting Eagle. 

They heard something moving cautiously near 
the entrance to the pass. Fearing that the Crows 
were about to make an attack, the Sioux fitted 
arrows to their bows and prepared to offer desper- 
ate resistance. Then they again heard some one 
creeping stealthily toward them through the night. 

“It is a scout,” whispered Lean Wolf. 

Sitting Eagle rose to his knees, and shot his 

161 


THE WAR TRAIL 


arrow toward the sounds. There was a noisy 
scramble from the pass, and they knew that the 
invaders had been driven off. Then for a long 
time they heard nothing further from their foes. 
Shortly before daylight, however, a small com- 
pany of reckless young warriors rushed boldly 
into the narrow defile and made a valiant attempt 
to overcome the Sioux. The latter fought furi- 
ously, and the Crows were forced to withdraw. 
Their foolhardy display of bravery had cost the 
lives of several of them. 

The Sioux were greatly encouraged by their 
success in holding the pass. They believed that 
the Crows would be slow to renew the attack. 
They had withdrawn beyond arrow range, and as 
dawn lighted the plain the Sioux saw them gath- 
ered in earnest discussion some distance from the 
canon. 

“Perhaps they will go away,” Sitting Eagle 
said, hopefully. 

“No, I do not believe it,” replied Lean Wolf. 
“Listen, they are singing their war songs. We 
must be ready.” 

A few moments afterward the entire Crow war 
party galloped toward the canon. As they came 
within arrow range, however, they dropped be- 
hind their ponies and raced past yelling fiercely. 

162 


A CLEVER STRATAGEM 

“Save your arrows !” shouted Lean Wolf. 

“Yes, yes, I see what they are trying to do,” 
Sitting Eagle told him. 

They realized at once that their wily foes were 
attempting to make them waste their arrows. 
When the Crows saw that the trick had failed, 
they immediately withdrew beyond arrow range. 
This time, however, they disappeared from sight 
over a rise of the plain. The Sioux looked at 
one another in surprise. The unexpected man- 
euver made them suspicious. 

“They are trying to fool us,” said Sitting 
Eagle. 

“Yes, they are trying to make us come out so 
that they can catch us,” declared Lean Wolf. 

Then their suspicions were confirmed as they 
saw several warriors peeping over the crest of the 
rise. The Sioux laughed and jeered at them, and 
the Crows instantly withdrew from sight. They 
remained hidden for the rest of the day, but the 
Sioux had little doubt that sharp-eyed scouts were 
constantly watching the pass. 

“If they do not come when it gets dark, we will 
know that they have gone away,” said Sitting 
Eagle. 

They watched in weary suspense as the long 
day finally drew to a close. The Crows, however, 
163 


THE WAR TRAIL 

failed to appear. It seemed as if they really had 
abandoned the siege, and still the Sioux feared 
to believe it. Experience had taught them that 
the Crows were crafty and treacherous foes, and 
they feared that they were planning some clever 
ruse to gain admission to the canon. 

“ We must keep watching/’ Lean Wolf said, sus- 
piciously. 

The night was well advanced before they heard 
anything to arouse their fears. Then they again 
caught the sound of some one moving toward the 
canon. 

“ Watch out, they have come!” whispered Sit- 
ing Eagle. 

“I hear them,” Lean Wolf replied. 

The next moment a wild chorus of yells warned 
them that the entire Crow force was crowding 
into the narrow pass. The Sioux knew that the 
critical moment was at hand. The Crows had left 
their ponies out on the plain and had crept toward 
the canon on foot. It was evident that they were 
determined to kill their foes at any cost, and the 
Sioux realized that unless they could stop the first 
fierce rush there was no hope for them. 

“Come, we are Dacotahs, we will show these 
people how to fight!” Lean Wolf cried, savagely. 

They rose behind the bowlders and delivered a 
164 


A CLEVER STRATAGEM 
deadly volley of arrows that threw the Crows 
into confusion. For a moment they hesitated, and 
the Sioux took hope. Then the Crows rallied and 
rushed recklessly upon their foes. The Sioux took 
shelter behind the bowlders and fought with the 
fury of despair. They realized that it was only 
a matter of moments before they would he over- 
come, and they determined to make the Crows pay 
dearly for the victory. 

At that instant, however, the great war cry of 
the Dacotahs echoed through the night, and a 
moment afterward the thunderous hoof heats of 
running ponies reverberated across the plain. The 
Sioux could scarcely believe their ears. The Crows 
turned in panic. 

“The Blackfeet! The Blackfeet!” they cried 
hysterically. “They have run off our ponies !” 

They believed that they had been led into a trap 
by the treacherous Blackfeet, and the thought de- 
moralized them. Their one thought was to es- 
cape from the canon before their foes barred the 
way. They scrambled wildly through the narrow 
pass and fled into the darkness. 

“Come!” cried Lean Wolf, as he sprang upon 
his pony. 

The Sioux galloped from the pass, and raced 
across the plain to join the Minneconjoux war 
165 


THE WAR TRAIL 

party. They heard the Sioux war cry directly 
ahead of them, and they raised their voices in 
reply. Several riderless ponies crossed their path, 
but they made no attempt to capture them. Their 
one thought was to join their comrades in an at- 
tack upon the bewildered Crows. Then they heard 
some one galloping toward them and shouting their 
names. A moment later White Otter raced the 
fiery piebald beside them. 

“You are alive — it is good,” he said. “Come, 
we will run away before the Crows find out about 
it.” 

“Where are our brothers?” Lean Wolf in- 
quired, anxiously. 

“Little Raven and Running Dog are waiting 
over there,” White Otter told him. 

“Yes, yes, but where are the others?” inquired 
Lean Wolf. 

“They did not come,” laughed White Otter. 
“We made all that noise to frighten the Crow 
ponies and bring the Crows out on the plain. I 
did it a long time ago. Now I have done it again. 
The Crows are very foolish.” 

“White Otter, you are a great chief!” Lean 
Wolf said, warmly. “You have given us our 
lives. We will tell our people about it.” 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE BLACKFEET CAMP 


HEY soon found Little Raven and Running 



JL Dog, and then they set out to join the war 
party. As they rode swiftly through the night 
Lean Wolf asked White Otter to tell about his 
daring stratagem against the Crows. 

“How did you come to find us?” Lean Wolf 
asked him. 

“When we came back from the ridge, Sun Bird 
asked our friends about you,” said White Otter. 
“They told us that you went away and did not 
come back. We felt bad about it. Sun Bird sent 
us to look for you. Pretty soon we found the 
tracks of your ponies. We followed them to that 
gully. Then we saw what had happened. We 
thought the Blackfeet had caught you. It was 
easy to follow all those pony tracks. Then we 
came in sight of the place where you were hiding. 
We lay down behind a ridge to watch. We saw 
a war party of Crows. Then I told Running Dog 


167 


THE WAR TRAIL 


and Little Raven how I fooled those people. I 
said, ‘I will fool them again. * Then we frightened 
away the ponies and made the Crows run ont. 
That is all I have to say about it.” 

Soon afterward they encountered the Minne- 
conjoux war party advancing carefully along the 
edge of the timber. However, when Sun Bird 
learned that the Crows were only a short distance 
ahead of him, he immediately ordered a halt. 

“If we keep going ahead we will run into those 
people,” he told his companions. “That would 
be foolish. We have set out to fight the Black- 
feet. We must keep ourselves strong until we 
meet them.” 

“Yes, it would be foolish to risk our lives until 
we have done what we set out to do, ’ ’ the Minne- 
conjoux told one another. 

They made a wide detour, therefore, and cir- 
cled far out on the plain to avoid meeting their 
enemies. Daylight was close at hand when they 
finally returned to the foothills. Having passed 
safely by the canon without hearing anything of 
the Crows, the Sioux believed that there was little 
further danger of again encountering those hated 
foes. 

“We are getting close to the Blackfeet camp, the 
Crows will not come this way,” said Sun Bird. 

168 


THE BLACKFEET CAMP 

“They have gone to tell their people how the 
Blackfeet fooled them/’ Lean Wolf said, jokingly. 

“White Otter can tell them abont it,” laughed 
the Minneconjoux. 

As the last lingering night shadows lifted from 
the plain, the Sioux entered the timber to avoid 
being seen by prowling companies of Blackfeet. 
Although the danger of meeting the Crows ap- 
peared to have passed, they knew that they would 
be in constant peril from the Blackfeet. Dancing 
Babbit said that they were within a day’s journey 
of the great camp, and the announcement roused 
them to their danger. They moved carefully along 
the base of the ridge until they found a sheltered 
hiding place. 

“Now, my friends, I will tell you what I pro- 
pose to do,” said Sun Bird. “You have heard 
the words of Dancing Babbit. He says that we 
are getting near the great Blackfeet camp. It is 
good. That is what we set out to do. But we 
must be cautious. We must not let the Blackfeet 
see us until we run off those ponies. We must 
hide in the timber until we are ready to fight. But 
first we must find the Blackfeet camp. I believe 
we can see it from the top of this ridge. Pretty 
soon I am going to climb up there and look around. 
You must wait here until I come back. Then when 
169 


THE WAR TRAIL 


it grows dark we will go ahead. I have finished.” 

Soon afterward he set out with White Otter 
and Dancing Rabbit. They climbed to the top of 
the ridge and looked anxiously toward the north. 
It was some time before Dancing Rabbit spoke. 
Then he pointed eagerly toward a low, sage-grown 
ridge. 

“Do you see that long hill?” he asked excitedly. 

“Yes, I see it,” replied Sun Bird. 

“Well, there is a river on the other side of it,” 
Dancing Rabbit told them. “Many trees grow 
along that river. The Blackfeet camp is between 
that river and that long hill. I hid on top of that 
hill when I ran away from the camp. * * 

Sun Bird and White Otter heard him in silence. 
Now that the goal was almost in sight they showed 
little emotion. Only the sudden flash of their eyes 
betokened their interest. They were intently 
studying the low, sage-grown sweep of the plain 
which Dancing Rabbit declared concealed the 
Blackfeet camp. 

“See, see, there is the smoke from the village!” 
cried Dancing Rabbit, as he pointed to a thin 
column of smoke which was rising above the ridge. 

“I have been watching it a long time,” Sun Bird 
told him. 


170 


THE BLACKFEET CAMP 

“Yes, I saw it,” said White Otter, as Sun Bird 
looked inquiringly at him. 

“See, there is a high place over there,” said 
Sun Bird, as he pointed toward a great ledge some 
distance to the northward. “If we climb up on 
those rocks we can see the Blackfeet lodges.” 

“Yes, I believe you can see the camp from that 
place,” Dancing Rabbit declared, eagerly. 

They made their way slowly along the ridge un- 
til they reached the base of the great ledge. It 
rose many bow lengths above them and was so bare 
and conspicuous that the Sioux were somewhat 
fearful of being seen if they climbed it. They 
knew that when enemies were expected, every 
great camp was protected by sentinels posted on 
elevations of the plain to watch for the approach 
of their foes. As the Blackfeet had every reason 
to expect an attack from both the Minneconjoux 
and the Crows, the Sioux felt quite certain that 
they had taken the usual precautions to guard 
their village. Still, the possibility of seeing the 
great Blackfeet camp was a strong temptation, 
and the Sioux finally decided to climb the ledge. 

They had barely made the decision, however, 
when they saw something which instantly changed 
their plans. A small company of horsemen had 
suddenly appeared on the summit of the ridge 
171 


THE WAR TRAIL 


which hid the camp. The Sioux knew at once that 
they were Blackfeet, and they watched anxiously 
to see which way they would go. They were con- 
siderably relieved when the riders reached the 
foot of the slope and turned toward the east. They 
rode off at a smart canter and soon disappeared 
into a dip of the plain. 

“I believe they are hunters,” said White Otter. 

“Well, they have gone away,” Sun Bird told 
him. “Come, we will climb up there and look 
around. ’ 1 

“No, it would be foolish, ” White Otter declared. 
“I see some one down there watching this place.” 

Sun Bird and Dancing Rabbit started in amaze- 
ment. Both had unusually sharp vision, and they 
had kept their eyes steadily on the ridge, but 
neither of them had seen any one except the horse- 
men. 

“Where is that person?” Sun Bird inquired, 
curiously. 

“Look sharp at that twisted tree, near the top of 
the ridge,” said White Otter. 

His companions looked in vain. They could find 
no evidence of any one either in or about the tree 
which White Otter had designated. They feared 
that he had been mistaken. 

172 


THE BLACKFEET CAMP 


“I do not see any one,” declared Sun Bird. 

“ Well, there is a warrior sitting up there among 
the branches,” White Otter told him. “If you 
look sharp along that crooked limb you will see 
him. He is far away, but my eyes tell me that he 
is looking this way. We must be cautious.” 

“Yes, yes, I see him!” Sun Bird said, excitedly. 

“He must be a scout. Perhaps those riders left 
him there to watch for enemies. Perhaps it is a 
war party.” 

“We will wait and see what he is going to do,” 
said White Otter. 

As they were high up, and well sheltered in the 
timber, the Sioux had little fear of being dis- 
covered. They were curious to know what the 
warrior in the tree was watching for, and they 
determined to wait until they learned. Then they 
suddenly discovered a horseman near the spot 
where the Blackfeet had disappeared. The Sioux 
felt sure that he was one of the company. He was 
facing toward the ridge where the warrior was 
watching from the tree. Apparently aware that 
the latter had seen him, he dismounted and began 
to signal with his robe. First he held it directly 
in front of him between his outstretched arms. 
The Sioux recognized the signal as the sign for 
buffaloes. Then he waved the robe up and down 
173 


THE WAR TRAIL 

several times before his body. It was the signal 
for many. 

6 ‘Those men are Blackfeet hunters,” declared 
White Otter. 6 6 They have found some buffaloes. 
That man is telling about it.” 

In the meantime the warrior had descended from 
the tree and hurried to the top of the ridge. Then 
he stooped and raised his robe from the ground. 
He faced toward the north, and repeated the sig- 
nals which he had just received. Then both war- 
riors disappeared. 

“That man has told the people in the village 
about the buff aloes,” said White Otter. “I do 
not believe it is a big hunt. Perhaps some buf- 
faloes came near the camp and some young men 
went out to kill them.” 

“Well, we must not show ourselves,” Sun Bird 
said, with a tinge of disappointment. “I would 
like to look at that camp, but I believe it would be 
foolish to climb up there.” 

“Yes, my brother, it would be foolish,” White 
Otter warned him. “The Blackfeet are moving 
around. Their eyes are sharp. We must watch 
out.” 

“I will tell you how I feel about it,” said Sun 
Bird. 

“Iam listening,” replied White Otter. 

174 


THE BLACKFEET CAMP 

“I am going to ask Dancing Rabbit to go back 
to our brothers ,’ ’ explained Sun Bird. “I am 
going to ask him to tell them to come ahead when 
it grows dark. Sitting Eagle knows this place. 
He must be the leader. When it gets light they 
must hide in the timber and wait for us. Dancing 
Rabbit, you must come back here and tell us where 
they are. Then we will go to them and tell them 
what we saw. White Otter, I will ask you to stay 
here with me. When it gets dark we will climb 
up on that high place and hide. When the light 
comes we will see the Blackfeet camp.” 

“It is the best thing to do,” White Otter told 
him. 

Shortly after Dancing Rabbit left them, they 
saw a great company of Blackfeet riding slowly 
over the ridge. There were both men and women, 
and many of the ponies were dragging the pole 
travois upon which burdens were transported 
across the plains. 

“Those hunters have killed some buffaloes,” 
said White Otter. “These people are going to 
bring in the meat. 5 9 

They watched the interesting cavalcade move 
slowly across the plain and disappear on the trail 
of the hunters. The Blackfeet were sending their 
women to bring in the meat. It was apparent, 
175 


THE WAR TRAIL 

therefore, that they had little fear of either the 
Minneconjoux or the Crows retaliating for the re- 
cent attacks which they had made upon them. The 
reckless boldness of their arrogant foes caused the 
eyes of the Sionx to flash with anger. 

“We will fool those boastful people,” Sun Bird 
said, fiercely. 

“They feel safe — it is good,” White Otter re- 
plied, quietly. 

They saw nothing more of the Blackfeet until 
the end of the day and then the hunters returned. 
A short way behind them came the women and 
a few men, leading the pack ponies laden with 
meat. After the Blackfeet had passed oyer the 
ridge, the Sioux listened anxiously for sounds 
from the camp. When they failed to hear any- 
thing they began to wonder if the camp was farther 
away than they supposed. 

“I do not believe it is far beyond that ridge,” 
declared White Otter. “The wind has carried 
away the noise.” 

“Yes, that may be true,” agreed Sun Bird. 

They waited impatiently for darkness, and when 
it finally came they immediately began to climb 
the ledge. It was hard, perilous work, as the 
night was unusually black, and the ledge was high 
and steep. There were places where a false step 
176 


THE BLACKFEET CAMP 
would have meant severe injury, or even death, 
and the Sioux realized the necessity for caution. 

“Well, we have had a hard time,” Sun Bird 
panted, as they finally reached the top. 

“Yes, it is a hard place to get to,” agreed White 
Otter. 

They went as far as possible along the top of the 
ledge, hoping at daylight to be able to see over 
the ridge which hid the camp. Then they con- 
cealed themselves behind two high pinnacles of 
rock which rose some distance above the ledge and 
waited anxiously for the night to pass. 

“See, the light is coming,” Sun Bird said, 
eagerly, as the first faint trace of dawn appeared 
in the east. “Pretty soon we will see the great 
Blackfeet camp.” 

“It is good,” replied White Otter. 

They waited impatiently for darkness to leave 
the plain. Dawn seemed a long time coming. 
However, the pale narrow streak across the east- 
ern sky gradually widened, the stars grew dim, 
and a bird note sounded from the timber. Day 
was close at hand. The Sioux stirred restlessly. 
Their long vigil was almost over. Would they see 
the Blackfeet camp? they wondered. They longed 
to sweep aside the heavy black mantle which hid 
the plain. Then, after some moments of trying 
177 


THE WAR TRAIL 

suspense, they saw the night shadows slowly re- 
treating. The stars had disappeared. A soft gray 
twilight was creeping out of the east. Like a great 
hand, it spread slowly over the plain and wiped 
away the darkness. Dim, shadowy shapes ap- 
peared in its wake. It passed over the ridge and 
drove the shadows into the north. The Sioux fol- 
lowed it with eager eyes. Slowly, almost imper- 
ceptibly, it extended across the plain and laid bare 
the secrets of the night. 

“Look, look, there are the lodges !” Sun Bird 
cried, eagerly. 

They seemed suddenly to have sprung from the 
plain — like pale, ghostly phantoms on the trail of 
dawn. One after the other, they appeared from 
the gloom in great sweeping circles that extended 
far out on the plain until the entire camp was ex- 
posed before the fascinated eyes of the Sioux. It 
was ideally situated beside the waters of a wide, 
v T illow-lined stream. The Sioux marveled at its 
size. For a long time they studied it in silence. 
Trained from infancy in the art of observation, 
they noted every detail. They counted the lodges, 
estimated the number of persons each would ac- 
commodate, determined the nearest and easiest ap- 
proach to the camp, noted the distance from the 
ridge, the distance from the water, and many other 
178 


THE BLACKFEET CAMP 
details which skillful scouts were expected to know. 

Then they turned their attention to the ponies. 
There was a great herd of them grazing some dis- 
tance to the eastward of the lodges. The Sioux 
watched them with covetous eyes. They knew 
that many of those animals had come from the 
Minneconjoux camp. They intended to take them 
back, and many Blackfeet ponies besides. Near 
the edge of the camp was a smaller herd of ponies 
confined in a strong pole corral. The Sioux knew 
that those were the more valuable animals, the 
fleet-footed war and hunting ponies. White Otter 
studied them with great interest. He was trying 
to identify the famous black war pony of Many 
Buffaloes, the Blackfeet chief. However, he was 
unable to convince himself that any of the ponies 
in the corral was that animal. He had little doubt 
that it was securely guarded somewhere near the 
lodge of the chief. 

“ There are many lodges,” Sun Bird said, fin- 
ally. 

“Yes, it is a great camp,” replied White Otter. 

The Blackfeet were beginning to stir. The 
Sioux saw them moving about between the lodges. 
They looked like dwarfs at the distance. Then 
smoke began to rise above the camp. Some people 
were running toward the river. The Sioux be- 
179 


THE WAR TRAIL 


lieved they were boys. The splashes were dis- 
tinctly visible as they threw themselves into the 
water. The faint, far-away sound of their voices 
came up from the plain. Then a shadow swept 
across the ledge. The Sioux looked into the sky. 
Huya, the great war bird, was soaring out over 
the Blackfeet camp. 

“Hi, there is our brother, Huya!” said Sun 
Bird. “He has come to bring our people to the 
Blackfeet camp.” 

“It is a good sign,” declared White Otter. 

They watched until the day was well advanced, 
and then they crept carefully over the top of the 
ledge and descended to the summit of the ridge. 
They found Dancing Rabbit waiting for them. 

“Well, my brother, have you brought our 
friends here?” inquired Sun Bird. 

“They are hiding down there in the timber,” 
replied Dancing Rabbit. 

“Come, we will go to them,” said Sun Bird. 


CHAPTER XV 

A PERILOUS RECONNAISSANCE 

T HEY found the war party camped in a se- 
cluded ravine which led far back into the foot- 
hills. Having ridden throughout the night, most 
of the Minneconjoux were sleeping when Sun Bird 
and White Otter arrived at the rendezvous. The 
spot was strongly guarded by sentinels, however, 
who took turns at keeping watch. Sun Bird and 
White Otter immediately asked for water, and 
Dancing Rabbit led them to a splendid spring on 
the side of the ravine. Then they supplied them- 
selves with generous rations of dried meat and 
ate heartily. In the meantime their arrival had 
awakened most of the war party, and they ga- 
thered about the famous young scouts and waited 
anxiously for them to speak. 

“Well, my friends, I have something good to 
tell you,” Sun Bird said, at last. “We saw the 
181 


THE WAR TRAIL 


Blackfeet camp. It is close by. There are many 
lodges. There must be many people to live in 
them. We saw many ponies. Some belong to 
our people. We have come to take them away. 
We will take them. Then we saw the fast ponies. 
They are near the lodges. We will try to take 
some of those. But, my friends, I must tell you 
that it will be a hard thing to do. There are many 
warriors in that camp. They are brave. Perhaps 
we will have to fight hard to get those ponies.” 

“My brothers, I have listened to your words,’ ’ 
said Sitting Eagle. “You say that the Blackfeet 
are brave. It is true. I have fought many battles 
against them. They are braver than the Pawnees. 
They are braver than the Kiowas. They are 
braver than the Crows. Now you know that they 
are very brave. Well, my friends, the Dacotahs 
are braver than the Blackfeet. Yes, the Dacotahs 
are the bravest of all. We will go to that great 
camp, and take away those ponies. Sun Bird is 
a good leader. Our brother, White Otter, is a 
great chief. I see many brave warriors sitting 
here. We are very strong. Yes, my brothers, 
we will take away those ponies.” 

The boastful assurance of Sitting Eagle roused 
the Minneconjoux to a great pitch of enthusiasm. 
For the moment their ardor overcame their cau- 
182 


A PERILOUS RECONNAISSANCE 
tion, and they began to talk loudly and utter wild 
threats against their foes. 

“Come! ^6!” Lean Wolf cried, impatiently. 
“We are making too much noise. Are we like old 
women who cackle like foolish Magasapa, the 
goose V* 

The Minneconjoux instantly subsided into si- 
lence. They knew that it was not the part of 
warriors to give way to their emotions, and they 
felt guilty and ashamed. As Sun Bird showed 
no inclination to tell them anything more about 
the Blackfeet camp, most of them threw them- 
selves upon the ground and resumed their slum- 
bers. The three young scouts who had just re- 
turned from the top of the ridge followed their 
example, and it was not long before all except the 
vigilant sentinels about the edge of the camp were 
sleeping soundly. 

The day had ended and twilight had fallen upon 
the plain when Sun Bird and White Otter finally 
awakened. They felt rested and refreshed, and 
were eager to begin the great adventure which 
lay before them. As the entire company was 
awake, Sun Bird prepared to carry out his plans 
for advancing upon the Blackfeet camp. He called 
the sentinels who had watched through the night, 
and asked if they had seen or heard anything of 
183 


THE WAR TRAIL 

their foes. They assured him that the night had 
passed without alarm. 

“It is good,” said Sun Bird. “Now, my friends, 
I will tell you what I propose to do. See! the 
light has almost gone. When it gets dark I am 
going away to find out about that great camp. I 
am going to creep up close. Then I will find out 
what we want to know. Then we will know how 
to get those ponies. Now I am going to ask White 
Otter to go with me. He is a great scout. He 
has been to the Pawnee camp. He has been to 
the Crow camp. He has crawled up to the lodges 
of the Kiowas. Now I will ask this great scout 
to go to the Blackf eet camp with me. ’ 9 

“I will go,” WTiite Otter told him. 

There were many others who were anxious to 
risk their lives for a peep into the great Black- 
feet camp, but Sun Bird refused them. He knew 
that numbers increased the chances of discovery, 
and he determined to run no unnecessary risks. 
Besides, there were few, if any, warriors among 
the Minneconjoux who could match the scouting 
abilities of the Ogalala. As Sun Bird realized 
that the success of the undertaking might depend 
upon the thoroughness of the reconnaissance which 
he planned to make, he determined to rely solely 
upon White Otter and himself to carry it through. 
184 


A PERILOUS RECONNAISSANCE 

It was barely dark when they left the war party 
and set out for the Blackfeet camp. Their com- 
panions watched them depart, in silence, for they 
knew the danger to which they were about to ex- 
pose themselves, and many alarming possibilities 
flashed through their minds. 

“They are very brave/ * said Sitting Eagle, as 
Sun Bird and White Otter disappeared into the 
shadows. 

Believing that it would be easier to accomplish 
their purpose if they traveled on foot, they left 
their ponies with their companions. Once at the 
edge of the plain, they hurried away in the direc- 
tion of the low sage-grown ridge. When they 
finally saw it looming up before them, they re- 
alized that they must advance with more caution. 
If the Blackfeet expected an attack it was probable 
that they had posted sentinels at that spot, and 
the Sioux determined to take every precaution. 
The discovery of the warrior in the tree led them 
to believe that the ridge was a favorite watching 
place of their foes. 

Once at the base of the slope, the Sioux stopped 
and spent some time listening for the sound of 
voices. Then as they heard nothing to rouse their 
fears, they moved cautiously up the side of the 
ridge. When they reached the top they instantly 
185 


THE WAR TRAIL 

located the camp by the glow from the fires. F or 
a moment or so they watched silently. Then they 
descended through the sage, and moved out across 
the grim, black plain. 

“Now we must watch out,” warned Sun Bird. 

Side by side, they sped through the night as 
swiftly and noiselessly as wolves on the trail of 
their prey. Their eyes were fixed on the alluring 
glow from the Blackfeet fires, they relied upon 
their ears to warn them of danger. The plain, 
however, was steeped in silence. They heard no- 
thing but their own soft footfalls, and the gentle 
rustling of the grass against their buckskin leg- 
gings. 

“It is good,” whispered Sun Bird. “The Black- 
feet are in the camp eating buffalo meat. There 
is no one to stop us.” 

“We must not be too sure about it,” White Ot- 
ter cautioned him. 

Then they heard something which brought them 
to a sudden stop. The dogs were barking furiously 
in the Blackfeet camp. The Sioux listened un- 
easily. Several disturbing possibilities entered 
their minds. Had the dogs caught their scent? It 
seemed impossible. White Otter raised a moist- 
ened finger to test the breeze. It blew from the 
camp. They felt relieved. Then another thought 
186 


A PERILOUS RECONNAISSANCE 
presented itself. Perhaps the Crows had moved 
against the Blackfeet camp. The Sioux listened 
for sounds of an attack. They heard only the 
savage baying of the dogs. 

“ I believe the dogs are fighting for meat,” said 
Sun Bird. 

‘ * It is bad , 9 9 White Otter replied, seriously. ‘ 6 If 
those dogs keep moving around, it will be hard 
to get near the camp.” 

The thought troubled them. They knew that 
if one of those gaunt, wolf-like creatures caught 
their scent it would instantly skulk out upon the 
plain to investigate. Once it found them it would 
set up a racket that would soon draw the rest of 
the pack upon them, and the Blackfeet would be 
quick to realize the significance of the commotion. 

“ There is only one thing to do,” said White 
Otter. “We will wait here until the dogs quiet 
down. Then we will wait until they lie down to 
sleep. Then we will creep up to the camp. If we 
go ahead now, those dogs will find out about us.” 

“Yes, I see that it is the only thing to do,” 
agreed Sun Bird. 

It seemed a very long time to the impatient Sioux 
before the dogs finally became silent. However, 
as they had heard nothing to indicate alarm in 
the Blackfeet camp, they decided that the uproar 
187 


THE WAR TRAIL 


had been caused by the dogs fighting over the 
scraps of buffalo meat which the Blackfeet had 
thrown them from their feast. In spite of the 
stillness, however, the Sioux feared to approach 
the camp until they had allowed the dogs time to 
gorge themselves and settle down to sleep. They 
waited, therefore, watching the twinkle of the 
camp fires, and listening for sounds from their 
foes. 

“Come,” Sun Bird said, suddenly. “Every- 
thing is still. I believe the dogs have gone to 
sleep. We will creep up to the camp.” 

“I am ready,” White Otter assured him. 

Again they moved cautiously through the night 
until they were actually within bowshot of the 
lodges. Then they suddenly heard the solemn 
booming of the war drums, and the sound of sing- 
ing. For a moment they turned to one another 
in alarm. Were the Blackfeet preparing for war? 
Then they guessed the truth. 

“It is the hunters,” whispered White Otter. 
“They are dancing the Buffalo Dance.” 

“It is good,” Sun Bird told him. “All the 
people will be around the dancers. We can get 
close to the lodges.” 

“Watch out for the dogs,” cautioned White 
Otter. 


188 


A PERILOUS RECONNAISSANCE 

They advanced within half a bowshot of the 
camp, and then they dropped to the plain to watch. 
The camp was brightly illnminated by the light 
from the fires, and the Blackfeet were clearly vis- 
ible as they passed between the lodges. The boom- 
ing of the war drams and the singing continned, 
and the Sioux conld hear even the short, sharp 
exclamations of the dancers as they kept time with 
the music. Still they were unable to see into the 
camp, and they determined to advance still closer. 

Slowly, a bow length at a time, they crept to- 
ward the nearest lodges. They moved with great 
caution, and stopped many times to make sure that 
the way was clear. They were in constant fear of 
the dogs. Although they had seen nothing of 
them, they realized that at any moment they might 
encounter them prowling about the borders of the 
camp. 

The Sioux had almost reached the lodges when 
they suddenly heard something moving directly 
behind them. They turned in alarm. Had a dog 
circled about them, and caught their scent ? Their 
hearts beat wildly at the thought. Each moment 
they expected to hear the first savage yelp which 
would announce their approach to the Blackfeet. 
Then, as they listened, they heard footsteps. Some 
one was walking directly toward them. They 
189 


THE WAR TRAIL 

were seized with panic. Discovery seemed cer- 
tain. There was not a moment to spare. Press- 
ing themselves close against the ground, they pre- 
pared to drive their arrows through their foe be- 
fore he could utter an outcry. At that mo- 
ment he turned from his course and passed 
without seeing them. His bent form, and slow, 
faltering gait convinced the Sioux that he was an 
old man. As he emerged into the firelight at the 
edge of the camp they saw that their guess was 
correct. A moment afterward he disappeared be- 
hind a lodge. 

“I believe he is a Medicine Man,” whispered 
Sun Bird. “ Perhaps he was out there making 
Medicine.” 

“ Perhaps,” replied White Otter. 

Having recovered from their alarm, they 
crawled to the edge of the camp, and hid in the 
shadow of a lodge. Then they looked upon their 
enemies. The Blackfeet were gathered in the cen- 
ter of the camp. They were watching the wild 
antics of a company of dancers who were circling 
about the fire. The Sioux studied the assemblage 
with great care. White Otter was particularly 
curious, as it was the first time he had seen those 
people. 

The Blackfeet presented an interesting spec- 
190 


A PERILOUS RECONNAISSANCE 
tacle, as they celebrated the success of their hun- 
ters. The latter were especially picturesque. 
They had painted their faces and bodies and de- 
corated themselves in a most weird and grotesque 
manner. Many wore the entire skin of a buffalo 
hull, including the head and horns. Others had 
fastened buffalo feet to their ankles so that they 
rattled and clacked at each stride of the dan- 
cer. Thus arrayed, they cavorted wildly about the 
fire, imitating the antics of the buffaloes. They 
pranced, and reared, and kicked, and roared. 
Some pawed the ground, and then lay down and 
wallowed as the buffaloes would do to rid them- 
selves of flies. Others imitated the fierce encoun- 
ter between two great rival bulls, pushing and 
jostling each other, and butting their heads to- 
gether until the spectators shrieked with delight. 
It was a clever exhibition of mimicry, and more 
than once the Sioux were forced to smile. 

Then they turned their attention upon the spec- 
tators. Men, women and children had assembled 
in a great circle about the dancers. The Sioux 
made special note of the men. They were dark 
and tall, and powerful, with deep, broad chests, 
and wide sloping shoulders. They compared fa- 
vorably in physique and bearing with the gallant 
Dacotah fighting men, and the two young scouts 
191 


THE WAR TRAIL 


realized that they had come upon worthy foes. 
Closer to the dancers were the musicians, six old 
men, who thumped the war drums and sang the 
Buffalo Song in high, cracked tones. The Sioux 
gave little attention to them. Their eyes were 
focused on a small group of men who stood to- 
gether some distance to the right of the singers. 
Their dress and manner proclaimed them men of 
importance, and the Sioux knew that they were 
the chiefs and counselors of the tribe. 

“That warrior who wears the bear robe is Many 
Buffaloes ,’ 9 Sun Bird whispered, excitedly. 

White Otter nodded understandingly, as he con- 
centrated his attention upon the man whom Sun 
Bird had designated. The great Blackfeet war 
chief was a man slightly past the prime of life, 
whose massive frame, and bold, fearless features 
well confirmed the stories of his marvelous ex- 
ploits on the war trail. He wore a great trailing 
war bonnet of eagle plumes, and carried a long 
coupstick decorated with the trophies which he 
had taken from his enemies. He carried himself 
with the dignity and hauteur of a great leader, 
and the Ogalala looked upon him with respect. 

“He looks like a warrior,” Wliite Otter told Sun 
Bird. 

“He is a great chief,” declared Sun Bird. 

192 


A PERILOUS RECONNAISSANCE 

Many Buffaloes took no part in the ceremony. 
He stood apart with several of his associates and 
showed little interest in the wild capers of the 
dancers. His keen eyes, however, noted every ac- 
tion, and it was evident that his apparent indif- 
ference was largely assumed. He appeared to 
consider it beneath the dignity of a great war 
chief to show emotion upon so trivial an occasion. 

“Where is his black pony?” White Otter asked, 
eagerly. 

“I cannot tell yon,” said Sun Bird. 

“Come, we will try to find it,” White Otter told 
him. 

Sun Bird looked uneasily into the eyes of his 
friend. White Otter’s bold resolve filled him with 
alarm. A disturbing possibility swept through 
his mind. Did the daring Ogalala plan to enter the 
Blackfeet camp in search of the famous war pony? 
Sun Bird feared that it would be a fatal blunder 
to make the attempt at that time. Even if White 
Otter should succeed in leading away the pony 
without being seen, the loss would rouse the en- 
tire Blackfeet nation. They would immediately 
send strong war parties to search the plain, and 
the long, perilous journey of the Minneconjoux 
would have been in vain. Sun Bird appeared re- 
193 


THE WAR TRAIL 

luctant to agree to the proposal. "White Otter in- 
stantly guessed the reason. 

“I see that you do not feel good about it,” White 
Otter said, quietly. “I am a war leader. I am 
not going to do anything foolish. I am not going 
to try to take away that pony. I am going to find 
out where it is. Then I will wait until our brothers 
have run off the other ponies. Then perhaps I 
will try to take away that black pony.” 

“It is good,” Sun Bird said, with evident re- 
lief. 

They began to circle cautiously about the camp. 
It was perilous work. Bow in hand, they crept 
stealthily along in the shadows from the lodges, 
stopping every bow length to watch and listen. 
Where were the dogs? They would have given 
much to know. They knew that at any moment 
they might stumble upon them. They had gone 
about an arrow flight when they suddenly discov- 
ered one of the dogs lying beside a lodge. Was 
it asleep? they wondered. It was lying with its 
back toward them, and was only five or six bow 
lengths away. The Sioux watched it with bated 
breath. They realized that the slightest sound 
might rouse it. They feared to move. Still, it 
seemed equally perilous to loiter. 

“Come,” breathed White Otter. 

194 


A PERILOUS RECONNAISSANCE 

For an instant Sun Bird hesitated. It was cau- 
tion, not fear which held him back. It seemed 
folly to risk discovery when they had already 
learned so much about their foes. White Otter, 
however, was already creeping noiselessly into the 
shadows, and Sun Bird determined to follow him. 
Inch by inch they dragged themselves forward 
until they were opposite the dog. Then for a mo- 
ment they hesitated. It had every appearance 
of being asleep, and the Sioux passed on. 

Then they discovered what they were risking 
their lives to see. Beside a great decorated lodge 
was a strongly made log corral, and above it ap- 
peared the long slender head and graceful neck 
of the famous black war pony. It was watching 
the glow in the center of the camp, and nervously 
twitching its ears at the noise. White Otter gazed 
upon it with eager, fascinated eyes. It was a 
noble trophy, and he longed to possess it. The 
opportunity seemed before him. Impulse urged 
him to act. He paused to consider. Loyalty held 
him back. He realized that his own ambition must 
be sacrificed to insure the success of the Minnecon- 
joux. They had suffered a great loss at the hands 
of the Blackfeet. They had made a long and peri- 
lous journey to recover the stolen ponies. Their 
success depended upon keeping the Blackfeet in 
195 


THE WAR TRAIL 


ignorance of their approach until they were at the 
camp. White Otter made a quick, and final de- 
cision. 

1 i Come, ’ ’ he whispered. 6 6 1 have found out what 
I wanted to know. We will go.” 

“It is good,” said Sun Bird. 

They crept slowly from the edge of the camp. 
Then when they were a safe distance from the 
lodges they rose to their feet and sped away into 
the night. 


CHAPTER XVI 


OFF WITH THE POHIES 


HE following night the Minneconjoux set out 



JL to make their attack upon the Blackfeet. 
Long before it was dark Sitting Eagle and Lean 
Wolf and Running Dog left the ravine and rode 
away to watch from the ridge to the southward of 
the camp. Then as the twilight faded from the 
plain the war party followed swiftly on the trail of 
the scouts. Riding in pairs, the Sioux passed on 
their way in grim silence. When they finally saw 
the low ridge directly before them, they stopped 
and listened anxiously for word from the scouts. 

“Ho, my brothers, the way is clear, but the 
fires are still burning in the Blackfeet camp,” said 
Lean Wolf, as he suddenly rode out of the night. 

“We must wait,” Sun Bird told him. 

In a few moments they heard the sharp bark 
of the little gray fox, a short distance to the east- 
ward. Sun Bird waited until he heard it three 
times, and then he replied. Soon afterward Run- 
ning Dog appeared. 


197 


THE WAR TRAIL 

“I have been a long ways over there/ ’ he said, 
indicating the east. “I saw nothing of onr en- 
emies. Their fires are burning. We must wait.” 

“Yes, my brother, we will wait,” Sun Bird as- 
sured him. 

It was some time before Sitting Eagle finally ar- 
rived. Then he too suddenly rode out of the dark- 
ness. 

“I have been close to the Blackfeet camp,” said 
the famous scout. “I saw the light of many fires. 
It is bad. We must wait.” 

“We will wait,” said Sun Bird. 

Then, as the stern Minneconjoux fighting men 
gathered about the youthful war leader, Sun Bird 
announced his plans for running off the ponies. 

“My brothers, we are in sight of the great Black- 
feet camp,” he said, softly. “It is not far be- 
yond this ridge. We have come a long ways. We 
have come to do a big thing. We must go through 
with it. We will wait here until the fires die 
down. Then we will know that the Blackfeet have 
gone to the lodges. Then we will ride over there 
and run off the ponies. Now I will tell you how 
to do it. There are many ponies out there on the 
plain. There are other ponies near the lodges. 
When we cross over this ridge I will show you 
where to find the ponies. When we get near the 
198 


OFF WITH THE PONIES 
camp we must separate. Some must go out on 
the plain to get those ponies, and some must go 
to get the ponies that are near the camp. White 
Otter is a great war chief. I will ask him to be 
the leader of those who go to get the ponies that 
are near the camp. Sitting Eagle is a great war 
leader. I will ask him to be the leader of those 
who go to run off: the ponies on the plain. Many 
of us must wait near the camp to fight back the 
Blackfeet. I will be the leader. Now I have told 
you the way to do this thing/ ’ 

“It is good,” agreed the Minneconjoux. 

While they waited impatiently for the Black- 
feet fires to die down, many of the war party left 
their ponies with their friends and crawled to the 
top of the ridge to watch the camp. Others dis- 
mounted and threw themselves upon the plain to 
rest. There was little talking. The Sioux re- 
alized that they were about to match themselves 
against a strong and wily foe who greatly outnum- 
bered them, and the thought made them serious. 
They knew that the time for boasting had passed, 
and the time for action was at hand. There was 
not one of the company, however, who had the 
Slightest fear. They believed that Dacotah cour- 
age would more than offset the superior strength 
of the Blackfeet, and they felt confident of success. 
199 


THE WAR TRAIL 

The night was more than half gone when the 
watchers returned from the ridge and reported 
that the last flickering glow had faded from the 
Blackfeet camp. The announcement roused the 
Sioux to action. Springing upon their ponies, 
they waited eagerly for the word to advance. 

“My brothers, the Blackfeet have gone to their 
lodges,” said Sun Bird. “Pretty soon they will 
be asleep. It is good. They will not know about 
us until they hear us running off the ponies. 
Come, Dacotahs, we will go.” 

The summons stirred their fighting blood. They 
longed to send the Dacotah war cry ringing across 
the plain as a challenge to their foes. They stifled 
the temptation, however, and crossed the ridge in 
silence. All evidence of the Blackfeet camp had 
vanished into the night, and Sun Bird chose the 
north star to guide him on his way. 

The preliminary reconnaissance which Sun Bird 
and White Otter had made the previous night 
proved of great value. At that time they had 
carefully noted the contour of the plain between 
the ridge and the camp, and had estimated dis- 
tances between certain prominent landmarks which 
they had retained in their memory. Now, as they 
found them, they were able to guess how closely 
they were approaching the Blackfeet camp. When 
200 


OFF WITH THE PONIES 
he believed that they had gone half way, Snn Bird 
ordered a halt, and proceeded to divide the war 
party. The younger, less experienced warriors 
were assigned to the companies who were to run 
off the ponies, while the renowned fighters and fa- 
mous scouts were chosen as a rear guard to fight 
back the Blackfeet. Then Sun Bird carefully ex- 
plained the location of the ponies. 

“ Now we are ready to go ahead with this thing,’ ’ 
he said. “But before we begin I will tell you 
something. When you are ready to ride off the 
ponies that are on the plain you must make many 
quick barks of the little gray fox. Then you must 
wait. When WTiite Otter and his brothers hear 
it they will know that you are ready. Then when 
they are ready they must make that signal. Wken 
it stops you must go ahead to run off the ponies. 
Then if the Blackfeet hear you we will be ready to 
hold them back. Keep these words. Do not go 
ahead until you hear the signal. I have finished. ’ ’ 

A short distance farther on the Sioux separated 
to make their raid against the Blackfeet. Sitting 
Eagle and his companions turned aside to ap- 
proach the spot where the loose ponies were pas- 
tured. White Otter and his company continued 
'toward the camp, and Sun Bird and the fighting 
men followed close behind him. 

201 


THE WAR TRAIL 

When they were within several bowshots of the 
camp they stopped, and White Otter and three 
companions went forward. He had asked Little 
Raven to accompany him, and the young Minne- 
conjoux rode at his side. 

“If the ponies begin to call we must make the 
signal, and be ready to rush ahead,’ ’ said the Oga- 
lala. 

When they finally saw the black, indistinct out- 
lines of the corral, they stopped to listen. They 
knew that the lodges at the end of the camp were 
less than half a bowshot away. The slightest 
sound, therefore, might arouse the Blackfeet. 
White Otter turned to Little Raven. 

“Get down from your pony,” he whispered. 

They dismounted and left their ponies with the 
two warriors who accompanied them. Then they 
imoved swiftly toward the corral. They were 
within bow length of it when they heard the 
quick barks of the little gray fox some distance 
toward the east. Their hearts bounded at the 
sound. Sitting Eagle and his companions were 
ready to run off the ponies. White Otter rushed 
to the corral. He turned in dismay. The corral 
was empty. 

At that instant a horse whinnied in the Black- 
feet camp. The Sioux ponies replied. A dog 
202 


OFF WITH THE PONIES 
barked. Voices sounded close at hand. The 
Blackfeet were alarmed. Realizing that further 
caution was useless, White Otter sounded the 
signal. 

“Run to the ponies !” he cried to Little Raven. 

They heard their comrades riding forward to 
meet them. They also heard the thunder of many 
hoofs, and the wild yells of the Blackfeet. Spring- 
ing upon his pony, White Otter raced recklessly 
toward the camp. Little Raven followed him. 
They found the village in wild disorder. The 
Blackfeet had been completely surprised. 

Out on the plain Sitting Eagle and his com- 
panions were driving away the captured ponies. 
The raid had been entirely successful, and the 
elated Sioux were already many arrow flights be- 
yond the camp. Behind them Sun Bird and his 
force of fighting men were loitering within bow- 
shot of the village, watching for White Otter with 
the other bunch of ponies. When he failed to ap- 
pear, Sun Bird rode toward the corral to find him. 
He encountered the two warriors who had accom- 
panied the Ogalala on his perilous mission. 

* ‘ Where are the ponies I Where is White Otter ? 
Where is Little Raven V 9 Sun Bird asked, excit- 
edly. 

1 i That place was empty, * 9 they told him. 4 ‘ White 

203 


THE WAR TRAIL 


Otter and Little Raven rode away toward the 
Blackfeet camp.” 

Sun Bird stared wildly into the face of the 
speaker. He could scarcely believe him. Then 
the truth suddenly flashed across his mind. He 
understood why White Otter had risked himself. 

“Yes, yes, I know about it,” he said. 

He called the two riders to follow him and gal- 
loped away to lead his valiant company against 
the Blackfeet. The latter had rallied from their 
confusion and were riding from the camp. 

In the meantime White Otter and Little Raven 
had ridden boldly along the edge of the camp until 
they reached the spot where the famous black war 
pony was kept. Then WTiite Otter dismounted, 
and left his pony with Little Raven. Taking ad- 
vantage of the darkness and the confusion in the 
Blackfeet camp, the daring Ogalala moved swiftly 
between the lodges. It was only a moment or so 
before he encountered his foes. A frightened old 
woman took him for one of her people and ran to 
him for protection. He grumbled fiercely at her 
and sprang away before she recognized him. The 
next instant two excited warriors dashed past 
within bow length, and called him to follow them. 
Then the way seemed clear, and he hurried toward 
the corral. His heart beat wildly as he suddenly 
204 


OFF WITH THE PONIES 
saw the log inclosure before him. When he reached 
it, however, he saw that it, too, was empty. The 
famous black pony had been taken away. 

For some moments the disappointed young 
Sioux lingered beside the corral. He was blam- 
ing himself for having refused the opportunity 
which had presented itself the night before. At 
that time the great trophy had been almost within 
his grasp. Now he believed it was forever beyond 
his reach. He told himself that he had been fool- 
ish to surrender his chance. Then he suddenly 
thrilled with the pride of sacrifice. He was a Da- 
cotah, and the Dacotahs had relied upon him to 
help them against their foes. He had nobly per- 
formed his duty to the tribesmen who had given 
him their confidence. His act had brought suc- 
cess to the Minneconjoux. The thought roused 
him. His own loss was forgotten as he rejoiced 
in the victory of his people. 

“ I have done a good thing,’ ’ he said, joyfully. 

Then as he saw fires beginning to gleam in vari- 
ous parts of the camp, he realized that it was time 
to go. As he ran toward the edge of the camp a 
dog suddenly appeared before him. It faced him 
with bared fangs and flashing eyes, and its deep, 
ugly growls gave warning of an intention to fight. 

“Hi, you foolish Blackfeet dog,” cried White 

205 


THE WAR TRAIL 

Otter, as he drove his arrow through it. “Now 
your people will know that I have been in their 
village.” 

He bounded past the struggling dog, and ran 
from the camp. Little Raven was waiting with the 
ponies. 

“Come,” cried White Otter, as he sprang upon 
the piebald. “The Blackfeet have ridden away 
on the war ponies. Some one took away that black 
pony. Now we must go to help our brothers. Lis- 
ten! I hear them making a big fight.” 

Sounds of battle came from directly ahead of 
them, and White Otter knew that Sun Bird and his 
companions were fighting back the Blackfeet. 
Calling Little Raven to follow him, the daring 
young war chief raised his voice in the war cry, 
and raced away to engage in the fight. 


CHAPTER XVII 


HOTLY PURSUED 

O NCE aware of what had happened, the en- 
raged Blackfeet rushed from the camp like 
a swarm of angry bees. Led by their great war 
chief, Many Buffaloes, they rode recklessly out 
upon the plain to overtake the daring foes who 
had run off their ponies. They had not gone an 
arrow flight, however, before they collided with 
the Sioux. 

“Come, my brothers, it is time to fight !” cried 
Sun Bird. 

The resolute band of Sioux fighting men charged 
furiously upon their foes. They were outnum- 
bered three to one, but the fierceness of their at- 
tack deceived the Blackfeet and threw them into 
confusion. Having recognized the Dacotahs, the 
Blackfeet knew from experience what sort of re- 
sistance to expect from those powerful and cour- 
ageous foes. 

“The Sioux! The Sioux !” they cried, fiercely. 

207 


THE WAR TRAIL 

Then, as Sitting Eagle and his companions raced 
the captured ponies through the night, Sun Bird 
and his company of warriors fought desperately 
to hold back the Blackfeet. The latter, however, 
soon became aware of their superiority in num- 
bers, and the discovery gave them confidence. 
Recovering from their momentary disorder, they 
made a desperate attempt to break through their 
enemies. 

The Sioux, however, held their ground, and the 
fighting was at close quarters. There were many 
thrilling encounters. Lean Wolf fought three 
Blackfeet warriors and overcame all of them. Sun 
Bird had his pony killed beneath him, and then 
killed his foe and took his horse. Feather Dog 
became separated from his companions and was 
compelled to fight off an entire company of Black- 
feet until some of his friends discovered his plight 
and rushed to his assistance. 

In spite of their bravery, however, the Sioux 
were unable to overcome the odds against them. 
It was not long before they realized that it would 
be folly to sacrifice themselves in attempting to 
match strength with their foes. The Blackfeet 
were too strong to be held back. The Sioux saw 
that their only chance of success was in making 
a running fight. 


208 


HOTLY PURSUED 

“We must follow after the ponies/ ’ said Sun 
Bird. 

The moment they gave way the Blackfeet inter- 
preted it as a sign of defeat. Feeling sure of vic- 
tory, they charged recklessly forward, and at- 
tempted to throw the Sioux into a rout. Instantly 
alert to his peril, Sun Bird brought his company 
to a stand, and fought with a grim ferocity that 
soon convinced the Blackfeet of their mistake. 
They realized that victory was far from being won, 
and they became somewhat more cautious. After 
several costly and futile attempts to make the 
Sioux give ground, they suddenly divided their 
forces, and a strong company swept around the 
Sioux flank. 

“They are passing! They are passing!” the 
Minneconjoux cried in alarm. 

At that moment White Otter and Little Raven 
joined the war party. They had fought their way 
through the very midst of their foes, and reached 
their companions in safety. The presence of the 
famous young war chief greatly encouraged the 
Minneconjoux. 

“There is only one thing to do,” White Otter 
said, hurriedly, as Sun Bird turned to consult him. 
“We must keep ahead of those Blackfeet.” 

Acting upon his advice, the Sioux suddenly gave 

209 


THE WAR TRAIL 

way and raced across the plain in pursuit of Sitting 
Eagle and the band of ponies. Behind them thun- 
dered the main force of Blackfeet, and at their 
right rode the company that had succeeded in get- 
ting past them. 

“When we come to the ponies we must make a 
big fight/ ’ White Otter declared, grimly, as he 
rode beside Sun Bird. 

“Yes, yes,” agreed Sun Bird. 

The Blackfeet kept close behind them, and the 
Sioux were in constant peril from their arrows. 
Whenever the Blackfeet came too near, however, 
the Sioux turned upon them and fought them off. 
Thus they made their way across the plain until 
they overtook Sitting Eagle and his companions. 
The latter had heard them approaching, and had 
rounded up the ponies and prepared to fight. 

“Keep going! Keep going!” shouted Sun Bird. 
“We will hold back the Blackfeet.” 

“Yes, keep going!” cried White Otter. “Run 
the ponies until you come to that big gully. Then 
wait for us.” 

Sitting Eagle and his company barely got the 
ponies under way before the Blackfeet were upon 
them. Sun Bird and the war party fought sav- 
agely to hold them off, but the company of Black- 
feet who had ridden along the Sioux flank circled 
210 


HOTLY PURSUED 

under cover of the darkness and reached the herd. 

“Hold the ponies! Hold the ponies !’ 5 shouted 
Sitting Eagle, as the wily Blackfeet attempted to 
stampede them. 

Yelling fiercely, they charged close up to the 
alarmed ponies, and threw them into wild disorder. 
Frightened into a panic by the noisy tumult, the 
bewildered animals tried to break from their cap- 
tors and flee across the plain. Sitting Eagle and 
his companions made valiant efforts to hold them 
under control, but the Blackfeet were riding furi- 
ously about the herd, and making- desperate efforts 
to kill the men who guarded it. 

In the meantime Sun Bird and the Minnecon- 
joux war party were fighting a thrilling battle 
with the main force of their foes. The latter had 
again rushed to close quarters, and the Sioux were 
in desperated straits. Greatly outnumbered, they 
fought with a reckless courage that astounded 
their enemies. Try as they might, the Blackfeet 
were unable to break through the heroic company 
that confronted them. Led by Many Buffaloes 
himself, the bravest warriors in the Blackfeet na- 
tion hurled themselves against the Sioux with a 
daring abandon that would have speedily routed 
less valiant foes. The Sioux, however, repulsed 
each savage attack with a dogged ferocity that 
211 


THE WAR TRAIL 


gradually shattered the confidence of their foes. 

Sitting Eagle and his gallant band were less 
successful. They found it impossible to keep the 
ponies under control, and at the same time defend 
themselves against the Blackfeet. They were 
threatened with disaster and began to lose heart. 

“Come, Dacotahs, show these people how to 
fight ! 9 ’ cried Sitting Eagle. 

At that moment White Otter led a company of 
Minneconjoux against the Blackfeet who had at- 
tacked the herd. Roused by the courage of the 
young Ogalala war chief, the Minneconjoux war- 
riors charged furiously upon the surprised Black- 
feet and completely overwhelmed them with the 
fierceness of their attack. For a moment only the 
Blackfeet opposed them, and then as White Otter 
drove his arrow through the leader of the com- 
pany the others lost courage and retreated into 
the night. 

‘ ‘ Come, ’ ’ shouted the Ogalala. ‘ ‘ Drive away the 
ponies!” 

Sitting Eagle and his comrades instantly got 
the ponies in motion. Then the determined Black- 
feet again charged forward to gain possession of 
the herd. This time, however, they were met by 
White Otter and his gallant band of fighters. They 
fought with a fiery zeal that soon threw fear into 
212 


HOTLY PURSUED 

the hearts of their foes. Riding boldly at the 
head of his companions, White Otter dashed reck- 
lessly among the Blackfeet, and threw them into 
confusion. Then as they wavered he raised the 
piercing Dacotah war cry, and led his tribesmen 
in a furious assault that caused the astounded 
Blackfeet to flee wildly before him. He followed 
them a long distance across the plain, and exacted 
heavy toll from the laggards. Then he suddenly 
heard Sun Bird and the rest of the war party rid- 
ing toward the south. 

“Come,” he cried. “Our brothers are running 
ahead of the Blackfeet. We must find out about it. * * 

Having subdued his foes, he turned and led his 
comrades to join the Minneconjoux. When he 
finally overtook them he found Sun Bird in high 
spirits. The skillful young war leader had com- 
pletely defeated his foes. 

“The Blackfeet are getting cautious,” said Sun 
Bird. “See, they are keeping far behind. I be- 
lieve they are afraid of us.” 

The Blackfeet appeared to have lost much of 
their confidence. Having lost heavily in the des- 
perate fighting with the Sioux, they seemed unwill- 
ing to risk coming again to close quarters with 
those indomitable foes. Although they still con- 
tinued to follow them, they were content to remain 
213 


THE WAR TRAIL 


safely beyond arrow range. The Sioux hoped that 
they would soon abandon the pursuit. 

“Pretty soon they will turn back,” declared 
Sun Bird. “Then they will go to the village, and 
tell their people what a great fight they made.” 

“Well, they will not bring back those ponies,” 
laughed Little Raven. 

Daylight was breaking when the Sioux again 
overtook their comrades with the captured ponies. 
Sitting Eagle had stopped in the bottom of a deep 
ravine through which trickled a tiny stream. The 
Sioux saw at once that it offered them splendid 
protection against their foes. 

“It is good,” Sun Bird said, heartily. “Now 
we will see what the Blackfeet will do.” 

The latter had already stopped, and were ap- 
parently discussing the advisability of attempt- 
ing to drive the Sioux from their shelter. For 
a long time they seemed unwilling to make the ef- 
fort. The Sioux had left the ponies in the bottom 
of the ravine, and were lying along the top of the 
bank watching their foes with great interest. 
They had no intention of leaving the ravine until 
the Blackfeet had either made an attack or with- 
drawn from the vicinity. 

‘ 4 Perhaps they will wait until it gets dark, ’ ’ sug- 
gested Little Raven. 


214 


HOTLY PURSUED 

“No, I do not believe it,” Sun Bird told him. 
“I believe they will do something pretty soon.” 

“Yes, my brother, that is how I feel about it,” 
said White Otter. 

The three young warriors were lying beside one 
another at the top of the ravine. On each side 
of them were the other members of the war party, 
except a few young warriors who had been left in 
charge of the ponies. White Otter noted, how- 
ever, that some of the Minneconjoux were missing. 
Among them were Proud Hawk and Painted Bird, 
the two young warriors who had served as scouts 
for the war party. The eyes of the Ogalala flashed 
threateningly as he realized that they and their 
absent companions had been killed by the Black- 
feet. 

“It is bad,” Sun Bird said, solemnly. “Those 
brave warriors were my friends. I saw Proud 
Hawk fall from his pony. I was close beside him. 
I tried to carry him off, but the Blackfeet killed 
him. I saw Painted Bird making a great fight. 
The Blackfeet were all around him. They must 
have killed him. I tried to get near him, but some 
Blackfeet rushed upon me and killed my horse. I 
had a hard time to get away.” 

“Well, we must not think about it,” said White 
215 


THE WAR TRAIL 

Otter. “A warrior must always be ready to die. 
Those men were very brave. It is enough. We 
will tell onr people abont them. ’ ’ 

“Yes, we will call ont their names when we ride 
through the camp,” replied Sun Bird. “We will 
tell onr people that we sent many Blackfeet to 
walk behind our brothers on the Long Trail.” 

Then their thoughts were diverted by the sud- 
den activity of the Blackfeet. They were advanc- 
ing slowly across the plain, singing their war 
songs, and shouting boastful threats against the 
Sioux. The latter watched them with little fear. 
They realized that the possession of the ravine 
had turned the odds in their favor. Besides, they 
strongly doubted that the Blackfeet would actually 
venture within bowshot. 

“They will keep away,” Sun Bird said, confi- 
dently. 

It was not many moments before his words were 
verified. The Blackfeet had suddenly stopped be- 
yond arrow range. They were still chanting the 
war songs, and shouting threateningly, but they 
showed no inclination to approach nearer the ra- 
vine. The Sioux, however, watched them closely. 
They knew that at any moment their wily foes 
might throw aside their caution and sweep forward 
in a furious attack. 


216 


HOTLY PURSUED 

“See, that great chief, Many Buff aloes, is giv- 
ing them strong words,’ * Sun Bird said, eagerly, 
an he seized White Otter by the arm. 

The Ogalala made no reply. His eyes were 
following every move of the famous Blackfeet war 
chief. The latter had ridden out in front of his 
tribesmen and was making a fiery address. Sev- 
eral times he wheeled his pony and swept his arm 
toward the Sioux. They felt certain that he was 
rousing his warriors for a final attempt to recap- 
ture the ponies. It was evident that his words 
were accomplishing the desired effect. The Black- 
feet were becoming greatly excited. The Sioux 
grew serious. They had great respect for the cour- 
age and ability of the renowned Blackfeet leader, 
and they feared that he was preparing to carry 
through some bold stroke which might still bring 
victory to the Blackfeet. 

“Many Buffaloes is going to do something big,” 
Sun Bird told White Otter. “He is very brave. 
We must watch out.” 

White Otter took little notice of the warning. 
His entire attention was concentrated upon the 
spirited black pony, and its famous rider. Every- 
thing else had passed from his mind. Even the 
great company of jeering Blackfeet had suddenly 
faded from his vision. He saw nothing but the 
217 


THE WAR TRAIL 


Blackfeet war chief, and his prancing black pony. 
He watched them with flashing, fascinated eyes. 
Then Many Buffaloes dramatically passed his 
bow, quiver and arrows to one of his tribes- 
men, and turned toward the Sioux with his war 
club raised. White Otter uttered a short, fierce 
exclamation of satisfaction. He had instantly in- 
terpreted the maneuver, and his heart bounded 
with hope. 

As the Blackfeet chief rode slowly toward the 
ravine, singing his war song and flourishing his 
war club, White Otter passed his bow and arrow- 
case to Sun Bird and scrambled wildly down the 
steep side of the ravine. 

“That man is very brave / ’ he cried, excitedly. 
“Tell your people that they must not try to kill 
him when he comes close. I am going to ride out 
there to meet him.” 

“No, no, that would be foolish!” Sun Bird 
shouted in alarm. “He is riding that great Medi- 
cine Horse. You cannot catch him. He will lead 
you over there to the Blackfeet, and they will kill 
you.” 

“We will see,” White Otter replied, lightly, as 
he ran to the piebald. 

In the meantime the Blackfeet chief was fear- 
lessly approaching the ravine. He was already 
218 


HOTLY PURSUED 

well witliin bow range, but the Sioux withheld 
their arrows. There were two reasons. In the 
first place Sun Bird had called out and warned 
them against killing Many Buffaloes, and in the 
second place his bold defiance insured his safety. 
The Sioux understood his reckless maneuver as 
a challenge to their manhood, an invitation for 
one of their leaders to come out and meet him in 
personal combat. To have killed him from shel- 
ter, under those circumstances, would have made 
them weaklings and cowards in the eyes of their 
foes. The Sioux felt compelled to respect the 
code of honor which prevailed even between the 
most bitter enemies. They realized, therefore, 
that one of their number must accept the defiant 
challenge of the Blackfeet chief, or else the latter 
must be permitted to return to his tribesmen in 
safety. Nevertheless, the Minneconjoux knew that 
if any one went forth to meet him the wily war 
leader would rely upon the phenomenal speed of 
his pony to carry him to safety, and decoy his 
enemy within bow shot of his warriors. For that 
reason they made great efforts to dissuade White 
Otter from his purpose. 

“Many Buffaloes has done this thing many 
times, but we have no ponies that can come up 
with him,” the Minneconjoux told White Otter. 
219 


THE WAR TRAIL 

“If yon follow him the Blackfeet will surely kill 
you.” 

“I am going,” White Otter replied, firmly. 

A moment afterward he rode out upon the plain. 
The Blackfeet greeted his appearance with savage 
yells of derision. The Sioux raised tKe great Da- 
cotah war cry to give him courage. Many Buf- 
faloes stopped and waited for him to approach. 

“White Otter is a great warrior; he is very 
brave ; that pony is very fast, but I believe he will 
be killed,” Sun Bird said, fearfully. 

The solemn faces of the Minneconjoux gave en- 
dorsement to his fears. They, too, believed that 
the reckless Ogalala was going to his death. Hav- 
ing witnessed the speed of the famous black war 
pony, they felt certain that White Otter would 
never get within striking distance of the Black- 
feet chief. Their only hope was that the Ogalala 
would discover his peril in time to turn back and 
save himself from the treacherous Blackfeet. 

“Then we must be ready to rush out and help 
him,” said Sun Bird. 

At that instant White Otter raised the war cry, 
and raced toward the Blackfeet chief. The latter 
waited until the Ogalala was almost upon him, and 
then he turned his pony and rode furiously toward 
his yelling tribesmen. A moment afterward he 
220 


HOTLY PURSUED 

twisted about and laughed shrilly, as he shook his 
war club at the Sioux. Enraged by the taunt, 
White Otter struck his pony with the heavy raw- 
hide quirt. The piebald bounded forward at a 
speed which caused the Minneconjoux and the 
Blackfeet to stare in silent amazement. With each 
stroke of the lash the wonderful little beast ran 
faster. The famous Blackfeet pony was a full 
length in the lead, but the piebald was actually 
gaining. The Minneconjoux could not believe it 
possible. 

“Many Buffaloes is holding back,” they told 
one another. “He is trying to draw White Otter 
near his people.” 

“No, no, it is not so!” Sun Bird shouted, ex- 
citedly. “See, the Dacotah pony is running fas- 
ter!” 

It was true. Sioux and Blackfeet both realized 
it. Many Buffaloes looked over his shoulder and 
was equally astounded. The piebald had cut his 
lead in half and was still gaining. Alarmed at the 
discovery, Many Buffaloes lashed the black pony 
to its best speed. It ran as no other horse in the 
great Blackfeet nation had ever run before, but 
the piebald ran even faster. White Otter was 
within less than half a pony-length of the Black- 
feet chief. The latter, however, was almost within 
221 


THE WAR TRAIL 


bow shot of his tribesmen. The Minneconjoux 
realized that unless White Otter overtook the black 
pony within the next few strides he would be at 
the mercy of his foes. The thought drove them 
into a frenzy of excitement. 

“See, see, he has caught Many Buffaloes !” Sun 
Bird shouted, wildly. 

The piebald had closed the gap, and was draw- 
ing abreast of the Blackfeet pony. Enraged by 
the glorious achievement of the Sioux pony, the 
Blackfeet raced forward to save their chief from 
defeat. At that moment, however, White Otter 
drew even with his foe. Yelling defiantly, Many 
Buffaloes swung his war club at the head of the 
Ogalala. WTiite Otter crouched and barely es- 
caped the deadly blow. Then before the Blackfeet 
chief could regain his balance the agile young 
Sioux swung his own weapon and knocked Many 
Buffaloes from his horse. The next moment he 
secured control of the famous black war pony. 
Turning the ponies in their tracks, he raced to- 
ward the ravine with the entire company of Black- 
feet close behind him. 

Leaving a few warriors in the ravine to guard 
the ponies, the Sioux galloped madly across the 
plain to rescue Wliite Otter. Once he got the 
ponies under way, however, there was slight 
222 


HOTLY PURSUED 

chance of the Blackfeet overtaking him. Stride 
by stride he drew away from his pursuers, who 
were too busily engaged lashing their ponies to 
think of shooting their arrows. When they finally 
did make use of their bows they found themselves 
already within range of the Minneconjoux. The 
latter shot their arrows with deadly effect, and 
the disheartened Blackfeet wavered before the at- 
tack. Then, as White Otter dashed among them, 
the Sioux flashed about and raced back to the 
ravine without losing a man. 

“Well, my brothers, I have showed you that the 
Dacotah ponies can run, ’ ’ White Otter said, quietly 
as he dismounted in the midst of his enthusiastic 
tribesmen. 

“White Otter, I believe the pony that Curly 
Horse gave you is a Medicine Pony,” Sun Bird 
declared, seriously. ‘ ‘ Perhaps that is why it was 
so fierce when you began to ride it. I believe my 
father had something to do with it. He is a great 
Medicine Person.” 

“It may be true,” White Otter told him, as he 
stroked the neck of the little piebald. 

“Yes, yes, Rain Crow must have had something 
to do with it,” declared the superstitious Minne- 
conjoux. 


CHAPTER XVIII 


THE STAMPEDE 


HE Blackfeet made no attempt to fbllow the 



-L Sioux to the ravine. Instead, they turned 
about, and rode far from arrow range. They car- 
ried off their chief and several warriors who had 
fallen in the skirmish, and the Sioux were in doubt 
whether the famous war leader had been killed, 
or only wounded, by the blow from White Otter. 
It was plain, however, that the Blackfeet had fin- 
ished the fight. They stopped for a few moments 
to shout idle threats against the Sioux and then 
rode slowly toward the north. 

“Well, my brothers, the Blackfeet have gone,” 
said Sun Bird. “It is good. We have done what 
we came here to do. We have taken away these 
ponies. We have made a big fight. We have sent 
the boastful Blackfeet back to their lodges. My 
friends, those are big things to talk about. Well, 
I will tell you that White Otter has done the big- 
gest thing of all. You all know about it. Look 


224 


THE STAMPEDE 

at that black pony. Yon all know how it came 
here. It is something to tell about. Now, my 
brothers, I must tell you something different. We 
must not feel too big about these things. We are 
a long ways from our people. We have many 
ponies. We cannot travel fast. The Crows and 
the Flatheads are still ahead of us. Perhaps we 
shall meet them. We must keep thinking about 
it. Yes, my brothers, we must be cautious.” 

“My friends, those are good words,” declared 
Lean Wolf. “What Sun Bird says is true. We 
have fought back the Blackfeet, but other enemies 
may be waiting for us. We have many good 
ponies. We must take them to our village. Per- 
haps it will be a hard thing to do. The Crows 
would like to get those ponies. Yes, I believe the 
Flatheads would like to get them. We would feel 
foolish if we lost them. We must be cautious.” 

The Minneconjoux found it difficult to restrain 
their enthusiasm. The younger warriors, especi- 
ally, were eager to celebrate their victory over the 
Blackfeet. They rushed to the bottom of the ra- 
vine, and crowded forward to count coup upon 
the Blackfeet pony by striking it with their hands. 
The act was a substitute for striking an enemy, 
and gave them the privilege of reciting the details 
of some daring exploit which they had performed 
225 


THE WAR TRAIL 


in the fight with their foes. Besides, the Minne- 
conjoux still looked upon the black war pony as 
something mysterious, a strange Medicine Crea- 
ture possessing superior powers of speed and en- 
durance. They hoped that in laying their hands 
upon it they might in some way absorb some of its 
mystical powers. 

In the meantime Sun Bird had sent scouts to 
follow the Blackfeet, to make sure that they were 
actually going to their village. Other riders had 
crossed the plain to the southward to learn if it 
would be safe to travel in that direction with the 
ponies. The day was well advanced when the 
scouts returned to the war party. The Minnecon- 
joux gathered eagerly about them to learn what 
they had seen. 

“The Blackfeet are still going ahead,” said 
Running Dog, who had followed them. “I believe 
they are going to their village.” 

“Did you see anything of Many Buffaloes!” 
Sun Bird asked, anxiously. 

“Yes, I saw him sitting on a pony,” declared 
Running Dog. “He was between two riders. I 
believe they were holding him up. I saw some 
other warriors lying across the backs of ponies. 
I believe they were tied there. Perhaps they were 
dead. The Blackfeet are traveling slow.” 

226 


THE STAMPEDE 


“Well, we know that Many Buffaloes is alive,” 
said Sun Bird. “No one can harm him. He must 
be very strong. Perhaps he is a Medicine Per- 
son.” 

“My brother, I will tell you something differ- 
ent,” said Sitting Eagle. “Perhaps the Black- 
feet expected us to follow them. Perhaps they 
were holding Many Buffaloes on that horse to fool 
us. Perhaps he was dead.” 

“Yes, that may be true,” declared the Minne- 
conjoux. 

Still, as they could not be sure, fhey were unable 
to reach a definite conclusion regarding the fate 
of the Blackfeet chief. While they were discussing 
it the scouts from the southward returned. They 
declared that the plain was free from foes. 

“It is good,” said Sun Bird. “Now we will go 
ahead.” 

The cautious young war leader planned his ad- 
vance with the care and skill of a veteran. He 
realized that one blunder might undo all that had 
been accomplished, and turn the splendid victory 
into a staggering defeat. The Minneconjoux were 
fatigued, and their ponies were jaded, and Sun 
Bird knew that it might be difficult to overcome a 
strong force of foes if they were fresh and 
eager for battle. He determined, therefore, to use 
227 


THE WAR TRAIL 

every safeguard against encountering his enemies. 

When the Sioux were ready to leave the ravine, 
scouts moved across the plain in advance and 
on both sides of them, and a small detail of war- 
riors were left behind to make certain that the 
Blackfeet did not return. Then the war party was 
divided. White Otter and half of the force rode 
ahead. Behind them followed Sitting Eagle and 
the warriors in charge of the ponies. Sun Bird 
and the balance of the company brought up the 
rear. 

The day was far spent, and the Sioux hoped to 
reach water by the time night came upon them. 
Sun Bird planned to stop when it grew dark, and 
allow the ponies to rest until daylight. Then he 
decided to travel in the early morning and after 
nightfall, and to stop in some suitable shelter dur- 
ing the heated hours of the day. 

“We must keep the ponies fresh,’ ’ he told his 
companions. 

Shortly before dark they came upon a large 
shallow pool on the open plain. As there was a 
heavy stand of grass for the ponies, Sun Bird de- 
termined to stop there for the night. The ponies 
were immediately turned loose to feed, and guards 
were appointed to watch them until daylight. 

It was not long, however, before the Sioux heard 
228 


THE STAMPEDE 

something which caused them considerable un- 
easiness. Low, rambling peals of thunder sounded 
from the west. The Sioux looked anxiously into 
the heavens. The stars shone brightly overhead, 
but the distant sky appeared black and threaten- 
ing. As they watched, a quick, darting flash of 
light zigzagged across the western sky. A dull, 
thudding crash of thunder boomed in the distance. 

“The Thunder Birds are talking — it is bad,” 
Sun Bird said soberly, as he seated himself be- 
side White Otter. 

“Yes, my brother, it is bad,” agreed White Ot- 
ter. 

Then for some time they sat in gloomy silence, 
watching the sky. A great mass of ominous black 
clouds rose steadily out of the west and blotted 
out the stars. Sharp, jagged streaks of lightning 
cut through the night. A fresh breeze stirred 
across the plain. The thunder sounded louder. 
It was evident that the storm was approaching. 

The possibility filled the Sioux with alarm. 
They looked anxiously toward the herd of ponies. 
They knew that it would be difficult to hold them 
under control when the storm broke upon them. 
Once thoroughly alarmed they might stampede, 
and race wildly across the plain. Then it would be 
necessary for the Sioux to ride recklessly through 
229 


THE WAR TRAIL 


the night in an attempt to keep possession of the 
herd. It was a perilous task, in which many brave 
riders might lose their lives. 

i ‘ My brothers, the Thunder Birds are coming — 
it is bad,” cried Sitting Eagle, as he came to find 
Sun Bird. “The ponies are sniffing the wind. 
They are uneasy. Some of them are running 
around.” 

“We must hold them , ’ 9 said Sun Bird. * ‘ Every 
one must go out there and keep riding around 
them.” 

“It is good,” replied Sitting Eagle, as he gal- 
loped away. 

The war ponies had been either picketed or 
hobbled and left to feed, while the riders threw 
themselves upon the plain to rest from their exer- 
tions. Now, as the storm approached, there was 
great confusion as each warrior rushed to find his 
pony. Those who had picketed their ponies had 
little difficulty, but the hobbled animals had wan- 
dered some distance away, and their owners spent 
many anxious moments searching for them. White 
Otter and Sun Bird had picketed their ponies and 
they found them at once. 

“White Otter, you have done some big things — 
it is enough,” said Sun Bird. “You must stay 
out of this. You have taken away the great black 
230 


THE STAMPEDE 

war pony. Yon must not lose it. When the 
Thunder Birds fly over ns yon must hold fast to 
that pony. Do not try to do anything else. I am 
yonr brother. Listen to my words.’ ’ 

“ I will do as yon tell me to do,” agreed White 
Otter. 

“It is good,” cried Sun Bird, as he galloped 
toward the ponies. 

The riders had already stationed themselves 
about the herd and Sitting Eagle was racing about 
shouting instructions. The Sioux were in a high 
tension of excitement. The great storms which 
swept across the plains always filled them with 
superstitious awe. They believed that they were 
caused by the Thunder Birds, which they imagined 
to be two giant birdlike monsters that lived high 
up in the most inaccessible peaks of the loftiest 
mountains. The Sioux believed that these weird 
creatures possessed all sorts of mysterious powers 
and that at certain intervals they flew across the 
country to destroy those unfortunate people who 
had incurred their displeasure. 

“Some one has made the Thunder Birds mad 
— they are coming to drive away the ponies,” the 
Minneconjoux told one another, in alarmed whis- 
pers. 

Their hearts filled with gloomy premonitions of 
231 


THE WAR TRAIL 


impending disaster, as the storm rushed upon 
them. The breeze had freshened to a gale, the 
stars above them had vanished, the plain was 
smothered in darkness. Vivid flashes of light flick- 
ered across the sky. Loud, crashing peals of 
thunder rolled through the night. The ponies 
showed signs of terror. They crowded nervously 
together, with heads raised, snorting and whinny- 
ing. The Sioux rode anxiously around them, fear- 
ful that each startling flash would cause them to 
run. 

Then the storm suddenly broke upon them. A 
dazzling flare of light was followed by a terrify- 
ing crash of thunder and the ponies leaped for- 
ward in blind panic. The Sioux made desperate 
efforts to hold them in the herd, but the panic had 
spread to the riding ponies, and they were rear- 
ing and plunging in a manner that demanded the 
entire attention of the riders. Some of the more 
fiery animals bolted from control and raced wildly 
through the night. A moment afterward the herd 
broke through the gap in the circle and thundered 
across the plain. The fears of the Sioux were re- 
alized — the stampede had begun. 

Having witnessed the first break of the startled 
ponies, Sun Bird rode recklessly after the leaders 
in the hope of guiding them across the plain. Be- 
232 


THE STAMPEDE 

side him rode Little Raven. Allowing their ponies 
to ran at will, the Minneconjoux soon found them- 
selves at the front of the herd. Then they sud- 
denly realized their peril. Their lives depended 
upon the agility of their ponies. A fall meant in- 
stant destruction beneath the hoofs of the panic- 
stricken beasts behind them. However, there was 
little time to think of the danger. The foremost 
ponies had swerved toward the west and Sun Bird 
and Little Raven tried to turn them back. 

“We must not let them go that way!” Sun Bird 
shouted, anxiously. “The Crows and the Flat- 
heads are over there.” 

Lashing vigorously with their heavy riding 
quirts, they forced the ponies from their course 
and kept them running toward the south. Thus 
they rode through the height of the storm, risking 
their lives to redeem their pledge to return the 
ponies which the Blackfeet had driven away. 

Then, as the storm finally spent its fury, and 
passed across the plain, the wild stampede sud- 
denly came to an end. Having run themselves into 
exhaustion, the ponies were glad to stop. A third 
of the herd, however, were missing. Sun Bird was 
dismayed by the discovery. 

“Come, my brothers, tell me how those ponies 
got away from you,” he said, sharply. 

233 


THE WAR TRAIL 


“We could not hold them all together,” said 
Sitting Eagle. “I saw some ponies breaking 
away and when I rode after them some more ponies 
got away.” 

“Yes, that is how it happened,” declared Lean 
Wolf. “I saw two ponies turning away, and I 
chased them. When I was driving them back, I 
saw a big bunch of ponies turning around. Then 
I rode after them and brought some of them back. 
Then I stayed close by the herd. I saw it was the 
best thing to do.” 

“Well, my friends, it is bad, but I see that you 
did the best you could, ’ * Sun Bird told them. “We 
had a hard time getting those ponies. We must 
not leave them for our enemies. There is only 
one thing to do. Sitting Eagle, you must keep 
going ahead with these ponies. When you get 
near our village you must stop and wait for us. 
Do not let our people see you until we come. My 
brothers, most of you must go with Sitting Eagle 
to help him fight our enemies. Some of us must 
stay here until it gets light. Then we will go out 
and look for the ponies that got away. I believe 
we will find them close by. Now I will call out the 
names of the men who must go with me to find the 
ponies. Listen, my brothers, I am going to call 
those names : Lean Wolf, Little Raven, Feather 
234 


THE STAMPEDE 

Dog, Bunning Dog, Falling Eagle, Brave Bear, 
Two Elks. These men will go with me. The rest 
of you. must go with Sitting Eagle.’ ’ 

As he finished speaking they heard two ponies 
galloping toward them. A few moments after- 
ward White Otter appeared. The piebald and the 
Blackfeet pony were lathered with sweat. Neither, 
however, showed the slightest trace of exhaustion. 

“I have been a long ways,” said the Ogalala. 
“These foolish ponies ran the wrong way. It was 
a long time before I could turn them around. Then 
I came very fast.” 

* 4 Now White Otter is here, ’ ’ said Sun Bird. 4 4 It 
is good. I am going to ask him to be the leader 
of the men who go with Sitting Eagle.” 

Then the Sioux separated. Sitting Eagle and 
his escort of warriors rode away toward the south 
with the ponies while Sun Bird and his company of 
scouts remained behind to search for the missing 
horses. 


CHAPTER XIX 


TRAILING THE RUNAWAYS 

S UN BIRD and his companions were greatly 
encouraged when they looked across the plain 
at daylight and saw several of the stray ponies 
feeding a short distance to the northward. They 
hoped that others might be concealed behind some 
of the low hummocks which broke the level of the 
plain. 

“See, there are some of the ponies l” said Sun 
Bird. “We will go and get them. Then we will 
ride up on those little hills and look around. I 
believe we will see some more ponies.’ ’ 

They cantered slowly toward the grazing ponies. 
There were five and they were feeding close to- 
gether. They raised their heads and watched curi- 
ously as the horsemen approached, but they showed 
little fear. The Sioux, however, determined to 
take no chance of frightening them into another 
exhausting dash across the plain. As they rode 
within bow range they separated and circled care- 
fully about the ponies. Then they gradually closed 
236 


TRAILING THE RUNAWAYS 
the net, and the ponies made little effort to escape. 

“Now I will tell you what to do,” said Sun Bird, 
when they had secured the horses. “Some of you 
must keep these ponies. The rest of us will ride 
up on those high places and look around. I will 
ask Falling Eagle and Brave Bear and Two Elks 
to keep these ponies. Leave them where they are 
until we come hack. Then we will drive them 
away.” 

The three warriors who had been selected sta- 
tioned themselves about the ponies and their com- 
rades turned toward a low grassy slope to the 
westward. They had gone less than an arrow 
flight when their ponies suddenly raised their 
heads and looked toward the north. A moment 
afterward one of the ponies behind them whinnied. 
“There is something over there behind that hill.” 
said Sun Bird as he turned about. 

At that instant a horseman appeared. They 
recognized him as Many Feathers, one of the war- 
riors who had been left in the ravine to watch for 
the return of the Blackfeet. Having recognized 
his friends, Many Feathers returned their signal, 
and then disappeared behind the ridge. 

“Where has he gone?” Little Raven asked, anx- 
iously. 

“We must watch,” Sun Bird told him. 

237 


THE WAR TRAIL 


Then Many Feathers and two comrades rode 
over the rise of the plain, driving four of the stray 
ponies before them. They came directly toward 
Sun Bird and his companions. 

“It is good,” said Lean Wolf. “Our brothers 
are bringing some more ponies. Pretty soon we 
will find all that got away.” 

“Well, my brothers, I see that you found some 
ponies,” said Sun Bird, as Many Feathers and 
his comrades rode up. 

“Yes, we found them back there on the plain,” 
said Many Feathers. 

The young warrior appeared to know about the 
stampede: He said that he and his companions 
had read the story from the tracks which they had 
followed from the pool. 

“Did you see anything of the Blackfeet?” in- 
quired Sun Bird. 

“No,” replied Many Feathers. “We waited a 
long time but they did not come back.” 

“Did you see any more ponies?” Lean Wolf 
asked him. 

“No, we did not see any more,” said Many Fea- 
thers. 

“My brothers, it is good you came here,” Sun 
Bird told them. “Now I am going to ask you to 
take these ponies over there where you see Fall- 
238 


TRAILING THE RUNAWAYS 


ing Eagle and Brave Bear and Two Elks. Yon 
mnst stay with them and help them watch the 
ponies until we come back.” 

“We will go,” said Many Feathers. 

Then Sun Bird and his companions rode to the 
top of the low ridge to the westward. They saw 
the rest of the ponies gathered in a small herd some 
distance out on the open plain. The sight filled 
them with joy. As they were about to go after 
them, however, they suddenly discovered two 
riders watching from a ridge beyond the ponies. 

“Hi, hi,” Sun Bird cried, excitedly. “Some- 
one has found the ponies. Now they are watch- 
ing us.” 

“It is bad,” said Lean Wolf. 

Feeling certain that they had already been seen, 
the Sioux made no attempt to hide. They re- 
mained in open sight and tried to identify the 
distant horsemen. The latter were too far away 
to be recognized. The Sioux took hope at the 
thought. They knew that if they could not identify 
their foes, the latter would find it impossible to 
recognize them. 

“They must be Crows or Flatheads,” said Sun 
Bird. “Anyway, I believe they are scouts.” 

“It is bad,” said Running Dog. “They will 
bring their people here to get those ponies.” 

239 


THE WAR TRAIL 


The Sioux were greatly disturbed by the possi- 
bility. As their little company numbered only 
eleven, they knew that they would be powerless 
before a strong force of their enemies. Aware 
that the unexpected emergency demanded quick 
action, they held a hurried council to decide what 
should be done. They saw many difficulties. In 
the first place they realized that if they rode di- 
rectly toward the ponies they might drive them 
toward their foes. Still, to circle around behind 
the herd it would be necessary to approach close 
to their enemies. Then, too, the Sioux knew that 
if they succeeded in running off the ponies they 
would probably be followed by a strong force of 
their foes. As the ponies were already fatigued 
from their strenuous exertions, another long race 
might cause them to collapse. 

“It will be hard to get them away if our enemies 
try to stop us,” Running Dog said, gloomily. 

As he spoke the horsemen suddenly disappeared 
from the ridge. The Sioux looked at one another 
in alarm. They felt certain that one of the scouts 
had gone to warn his people, while the other con- 
cealed himself to watch. Sun Bird realized that 
it was time to act. Delay might prove fatal. 

“Come, my brothers, we must do something,” 
cried the bold young war leader. “I am going to 
240 


TRAILING THE RUNAWAYS 
circle around behind those ponies. I will ask Lean 
Wolf to go with me. The rest of you must hide 
behind this hill until we drive the ponies to you. 
If our enemies come after us do not wait to help 
us. Go to our brothers and help them drive away 
those ponies. Send some one ahead of you to 
bring back the war party. Come, Lean Wolf, we 
will go.” 

They were gone before their friends found time 
to reply. Moving boldly down the ridge, the dar- 
ing scouts turned sharply toward the north and 
rode away at top speed. Their companions con- 
cealed themselves below the crest of the slope and 
watched them with anxious eyes. They believed 
that they were rushing into great peril and they 
had grave fears for their safety. 

“I do not feel good about this thing,” Little 
Raven said, uneasily. 6 ‘ Perhaps those people 
over there are trying to fool us. Perhaps they 
are waiting until our brothers come close. Then 
they will come over the top of that hill and kill 
them.” 

“Sun Bird is a good war leader. Lean Wolf is 
a great scout. They are sharp. Their ponies are 
fast. I do not believe they will let those people 
catch them,” Feather Dog replied, reassuringly. 

Sun Bird and Lean Wolf rode many arrow 
241 


THE WAR TRAIL 

flights toward the north before they finally swerved 
to the west. Some of the ponies were watching 
them, but as yet showed no inclination to run. The 
Sioux felt much relieved. They had feared that 
the nervous beasts might take fright at sight of 
them and flee toward the distant ridge. 

i ‘If they keep still we will soon get behind them,” 
Sun Bird said, hopefully. 

“Watch that hill,” Lean Wolf cautioned him. 

“Do you see any one up there?” Sun Bird asked 
him. 

“No, I do not see any one, but we must be cau- 
tious,” replied Lean Wolf. 

When they had passed the ponies they began 
to circle to come up on the other side of them. 
They were almost within arrow range of the ridge 
and they kept a sharp watch for foes. Then, as 
they turned to approach the ponies they heard a 
shout behind them. Glancing back they saw four 
Crow warriors racing down the slope at break- 
neck speed. 

“Come, get the ponies running!” shouted Sun 
Bird as he lashed his pony into a furious sprint. 

They rode madly toward the startled ponies, 
shouting and waving their arms to get the animals 
in motion. Once started, the ponies needed little 
urging. They had not entirely recovered from 
242 


TRAILING THE RUNAWAYS 
their wild panic of the previous night and the fierce 
shouts behind them sent them racing across the 
plain at their best speed. 

“Keep after the ponies, I will fight the Crows, 77 
Sun Bird cried, impulsively. 

“No, no, you must keep going ahead! 7 7 Lean 
Wolf shouted, fiercely. “If the Crows come close 
we will fight them back. Pretty soon we will reach 
our brothers. Then these warriors will turn back. 77 

He had barely ceased speaking before Little 
Raven and Feather Dog and Many Feathers and 
Running Dog swept over the ridge some distance 
to the northward of the ponies. Yelling savagely, 
they raced to the assistance of their tribesmen 
and at sight of them the Crows stopped in confu- 
sion. The odds had suddenly turned against 
them and they lost courage. They turned and 
raced away before the Sioux got within bowshot 
of them. The Sioux made no attempt to overtake 
them. Their one thought was to get away with 
the ponies before a stronger force of their foes 
came upon them. 

“We have driven away our enemies, now we 
must run off the ponies, 77 cried Sun Bird. 

“Yes, we must keep going, 77 said Lean Wolf. 

They drove the ponies over the ridges and ran 
them toward Falling Eagle and the warriors who 
243 


THE WAR TRAIL 

were waiting with the other horses. Then Little 
Raven and Many Feathers hid below the top of 
the ridge to watch for the Crows. 

The Sioux knew that the Crow village was some- 
where in the vicinity and they had little doubt 
that a strong force of those foes would soon set 
out in pursuit of them. However, they hoped to 
gain a sufficient lead to make it impossible for the 
Crows to overtake them before nightfall. Then 
they believed the Crows would abandon the chase. 

When they reached Falling Eagle and his com- 
panions the Sioux turned directly toward the 
south and drove the ponies across the plain at 
top speed. They hoped to reach the deep ravine 
in which they had hidden from the Crows and the 
Blackfeet. 

“Perhaps the Crows took us for Blackfeet,” 
suggested Running Dog. “Perhaps they will go 
the other way to find us.” 

“No, I do not believe it,” said Lean Wolf. 
“Those warriors came close. I believe they know 
we are Dacotahs.” 

For some time they kept the ponies running at 
their best speed and then as they saw nothing of 
their foes they gradually slackened the pace. For 
the balance of the day they rode over the plain at 
an easy canter and shortly before dark they came 
244 


TRAILING THE RUNAWAYS 
in sight of the abandoned stream bed. Their 
spirits revived at sight of it. They believed that 
even if the Crows should overtake them it wonld 
be possible to hold them off nntil scouts found 
White Otter and the war party and brought them 
to the ravine. 

“I do not believe the Crows can catch us now,” 
said Sun Bird, as they drove the tired ponies into 
the ravine, 

“We can make a big fight in this place,” Lean 
Wolf told him. 

As night fell Feather Dog followed the ravine 
toward the west to listen for the approach of the 
Crows. Soon after he had gone Little Raven and 
Many Feathers arrived. Their ponies showed the 
effects of fast riding. 

“Tell us what you have seen,” said Sun Bird. 

‘ 6 The Crows are coming , 9 9 declared Little Raven. 
“It is a big war party. Those scouts tried to 
follow you, but we drove them back. We did that 
many times. Then the war party came and we ran 
away. The Crows are coming straight ahead. We 
rode fast to keep ahead of them. Pretty soon they 
will be here.” 

“Well, there will be many against us, but we 
must get ready to fight,” Lean Wolf said, fear- 
lessly. 


245 


THE WAR TRAIL 


“No, my brother, I believe that would be fool- 
ish,” Sun Bird told him. “The Crows are too 
strong for us. I am going to fool them. I will 
tell you how to do it. I am going to ask Running 
Dog and Falling Eagle and Brave Bear and Two 
Elks and Many Feathers and Broken Hand and 
Mad Bull to ride away with the ponies. I will 
make Running Dog the leader. At first you must 
turn toward the-place-where-day-begins. Then you 
must circle back and go toward our village. Pretty 
soon you will find our brothers. Then you must 
stop. When you go away the rest of us will stay 
here to fool the Crows. When they come close 
we will ride out and make a great noise. Then we 
will ride toward the mountains. We will keep 
shouting as if we are driving ponies. The Crows 
will follow us. Then we will circle around and 
fool them. I will ask Lean Wolf and Little Raven 
and Feather Dog to help me do this thing. Come, 
my brothers, drive away the ponies.’ ’ 

“Hi, that is a great thing to do,” Lean Wolf 
said enthusiastically. “Yes, I believe we will fool 
the Crows.” 

As there was little time to spare, Running Dog 
and his companions immediately drove the ponies 
from the ravine and disappeared into the night. 
Sun Bird listened anxiously until the sounds of the 
246 


TRAILING THE RUNAWAYS 

hoofbeats had died away and then he turned to 
his comrades. 

“Well, my brothers, pretty soon the Crows will 
come, we must be ready / 9 he said. 

A moment later Feather Dog appeared. He said 
that he had heard the sonnd of galloping ponies 
and had come to investigate. 

“It was our brothers taking away the ponies / 9 
explained Sun Bird. 

Then he acquainted Feather Dog with the de- 
tails of the wily trick to fool the Crows. The fa- 
mous Minneconjoux scout immediately endorsed 
the plan. 

“It is good,” he said, as his eyes twinkled mer- 
rily. 

“Listen,” cried Little Raven. 

The Sioux immediately became silent. The 
hoofbeats of many ponies echoed across the plain. 
The Crows were galloping boldly toward the ra- 
vine. The thought filled Sun Bird with anxiety. 
He realized that if the bold stratagem failed, the 
warriors with the ponies were doomed. Once over- 
taken on the open plain, he felt sure they would 
be speedily surrounded and annihilated by the 
great Crow war party. He grew weak at the pos- 
sibility. Then his pony called and his thoughts 
were diverted. The hoofbeats suddenly ceased. 
247 


THE WAR TRAIL 

Having located their enemies the Crows had be- 
come cautious. The Sioux pony called again and 
Sun Bird made no attempt to stop it. 

“It is good,” he said. “The Crows will think 
the ponies are here. Come, ride around and make 
a noise.” 

They rode rapidly to and fro to make it appear 
that there were a number of ponies in the ravine. 
Then they suddenly swept up the side of the gully 
and raced across the plain. As they rode they 
snapped their riding quirts and yelled excitedly 
at imaginary ponies. Then they listened anxiously 
for sounds from the Crows. When they failed 
to hear them they gave way to despair. Sun Bird 
grew sick at heart. He feared that he had sent 
his comrades to their death. 

“Perhaps the Crows are keeping quiet until they 
get across that gully,” suggested Lean Wolf. 

‘ ‘ Perhaps they believe that some of us are waiting 
there to fight them back.” 

At that instant a shrill yell of triumph rang 
through the night, and a moment afterward the 
Sioux heard the quick, sharp hoofbeats of gal- 
loping ponies directly behind them. The Crows 
had been deceived. They were following blindly 
on the false trail. The Sioux were wild with joy. 
Unmindful of their own peril, they were satisfied 
248 


TRAILING THE RUNAWAYS 
to know that their comrades and the ponies w&re 
safe. 

“It is good! It is good!” Snn Bird cried, joy- 
fully. “We have fooled the Crows. Now our 
brothers will get away with the ponies.” 

They continued to make a great noise, lest the 
Crows should suddenly discover their blunder. 
They rode furiously toward the west, and rejoiced 
in the thought that each stride of the ponies was 
luring their foes farther from those whom they 
wished to overtake. It was not long, however, 
before the Sioux realized that the Crows were 
gaining upon them. The discovery aroused them 
to their peril. They knew that if the Crows came 
up with them there would be little chance of escape. 

“Come, we must ride faster,” Sun Bird cried, 
anxiously. 

They lashed the ponies into a terrific burst of 
speed and slowly drew away from their enemies. 
They knew, however, that it would be impossible 
to maintain the pace. They also realized that 
each moment was taking them farther from their 
course. 

“Now we must try to circle around,” Sun Bird 
told them. “Do not make any more noise.” 

They suddenly subsided into silence and turned 
sharply toward the south. Then their hearts 
249 


THE WAR TRAIL 

bounded with joy as they heard the Crows blunder 
from the trail and continue toward the west. Hav- 
ing once lost them in the night, it seemed doubtful 
if the Crows would be able to find them before day- 
light. 

“We have got away,” Sun Bird said, confi- 
dently. ‘ i The Crows cannot find us. Pretty soon 
they will go back.” 

“Yes, I believe we are safe,” replied Lean Wolf. 

i i Sun Bird, you have done a big thing, ’ ’ declared 
Feather Dog. “You are a great war leader. I 
will tell our people about it.” 

The Sioux laughed gleefully as they heard the 
Crows signaling far away toward the west. Then 
they turned toward the east to find their tribesmen. 
They rode steadily through the night and at day- 
light came upon the entire Minneconjoux war party 
at the waterhole which marked the boundary of the 
Minneconjoux hunting grounds. They were with- 
in a short day’s travel of the great Sioux camp. 
The long war journey was almost at an end. Suc- 
cess seemed assured. The Sioux were elated. 

“My brothers, we have come together again,” 
said Sun Bird. “I see you have kept the ponies. 
Now we are close to our village. Pretty soon we 
will be with our people* It is good.” 


CHAPTER XX 


SAFE AT LAST 


T HE Sioux waited until the ponies had recov- 
ered somewhat from their fatigue and then 
they set out for the Minneconjoux camp. They 
rode gayly across the plain, talking and laughing 
and singing their war songs. Their task had been 
accomplished. Their fears had vanished. The 
wearying suspense was at an end. They were 
eager to reach their people, for they knew that a 
royal welcome awaited them. The day had almost 
ended, however, when they finally came in sight 
of the Minneconjoux village. 

“See, there are the lodges of our people,” said 
Sun Bird. “Pretty soon some one will see us. 
We must get ready to ride into the camp.” 

“You are the leader, you must go ahead,” said 
Feather Dog. 

“Yes, Sun Bird must go ahead,” cried the 
others. 

“Well, I will ask Dancing Rabbit to ride with 
251 


THE WAR TRAIL 


me; it will make old Spotted Face feel good to 
see him,” Sun Bird told them. “Then White 
Otter must follow close behind me. He has done 
the biggest thing of all . 9 9 

“It is good,” cried the Minneconjoux. 

They advanced slowly toward the camp. Sun 
Bird and Dancing Rabbit rode in front. White 
Otter followed, leading the famous black war pony, 
and Little Raven rode beside him. Then came 
Lean Wolf and Feather Dog and Sitting Eagle and 
Running Dog and all the famous scouts. Behind 
them followed the great herd of ponies, surrounded 
by the balance of the war party. 

The Minneconjoux soon discovered the ap- 
proaching horsemen and rushed from the camp in 
great excitement. As they recognized the riders 
and saw the great herd of ponies they were thrown 
into an ecstasy of joy. They gathered at the edge 
of the camp, singing and dancing and calling out 
the names of the warriors who had gone to fight 
the Blackfeet. 

6 6 See, see, the great war party is coming ! 9 9 they 
cried. ‘ ‘ They are bringing many ponies . 9 9 

The war party raised their voices in the pierc- 
ing Dacotah war cry. It echoed triumphantly 
across the plain and threw the camp into a tumult. 
Then the Minneconjoux suddenly recognized Dane- 
252 


SAFE AT LAST 

Jng Rabbit. Men, women and children began to 
call his name. 

‘ ‘ Our brothers have brought back Dancing Rab- 
bit !” they shouted. “See, Dancing Rabbit has 
come back to us ! Look, Spotted Face, your grand- 
son is alive! He is coming to your lodge.” 

The aged warrior shaded his eyes with his hand 
and looked eagerly across the plain. He was 
trembling with anxiety. The Minneconjoux waited 
for him to speak. 

“Yes, my friends, it is Dancing Rabbit,” he said, 
finally. “Wakantanka, the Great Mystery, has 
sent him back to me. It is good.” 

A moment afterward the Minneconjoux discov- 
ered the black war pony. The sight of it aston- 
ished them into silence. They looked upon it with 
wild, inquiring eyes. Had they been mistaken? 
Could it really be the famous war pony of the 
great chief Many Buffaloes? 

“Yes, yes, it is the great black war pony!” Rain 
Crow cried, excitedly. “White Otter, my son, has 
brought it to our camp.” 

WTien the war party came within bow range 
they stopped and waited while a delegation of 
noted warriors rode out to escort them to the camp. 
At the same time a company of youths raced 
253 


THE WAR TRAIL 

eagerly across the plain to take charge of the 
ponies. 

Then the war party rode trinmphantly into the 
village, singing their war songs and calling the 
names of the warriors who had been killed by the 
Blackfeet. As each missing warrior was men- 
tioned his people began to monrn and cry ont dis- 
mally in their grief. However, as his companions 
extolled his bravery the monrners stifled their 
sobs and thrilled with pride at his noble sacri- 
fice. 

“A warrior must be ready to die,” said Pretty 
Star, the mother of Proud Hawk. “My son was 
very brave. They are calling his name. He did 
a great thing for his people. It is enough.” 

As the victorious warriors paraded through the 
village the people gathered eagerly about White 
Otter and the famous black war pony. Many of 
the old men and boys ran forward and struck the 
Blackfeet pony with their hands to count a coup 
against their foes. When he reached the center 
of the camp Wliite Otter stopped and tied the 
Blackfeet pony before the lodge of Curly Horse, 
the Minneconjoux war chief. 

“See, White Otter has given the black war pony 
to Curly Horse,” said the Minneconjoux. “It is 
a great thing to do.” 


254 


SAFE AT LAST 


Curly Horse and the great men of the tribe had 
assembled before the medicine lodge to greet the 
war party. When the warriors lined up before 
him the famous chief stepped forward to address 
them. 

“I will call Sun Bird and White Otter to come 
and stand before me,” said Curly Horse. “My 
brothers, both of you are young men, but you have 
done big things. Sun Bird, you are the leader 
of this war party. You have done what you set 
out to do. You have brought back the ponies that 
the Blackfeet took away. It was a hard thing to 
do. YThite Otter, you are a great chief. You 
have done many big things. Now you have done 
the biggest thing of all. I see that you have tied 
that great pony in front of my lodge. It makes 
me feel good. But I will not take it. You must 
take it to your people. Now I will speak to those 
brave warriors who went with you. My brothers, 
you have done a big thing. You were very brave. 
Now I will ask Rain Crow to give you some 
words.” 

“My friends, you have done a great thing for 
your people,” said Rain Crow, the Medicine Man. 
“Now we have many ponies. Some of them were 
Blackfeet ponies. It is good. Sun Bird, you are 
my son. Little Raven, you are my son. White 
255 


THE WAR TRAIL 

Otter, I have called yon my son. All three of you 
were very brave. It makes me feel big. White 
Otter, yon have done the biggest thing of all. Onr 
people will talk about it a long time. I have fin- 
ished.” 

When Rain Crow ceased speaking the Minne- 
conjonx cried ont for Sun Bird to talk to them. 

‘ ‘ Well, my people, yon have asked me to give yon 
some words,” said Sun Bird. “First I will tell 
yon abont White Otter. He was very brave. He 
went into the Blackfeet camp. He fought back 
many Blackfeet. He rode after the great chief 
Many Buffaloes and caught up with him. Then 
he knocked him on the head and ran off with his 
pony. He has brought it here. Now I will tell 
yon abont Little Raven. He was very brave. He 
went with White Otter to the Blackfeet camp. He 
fought many Blackfeet. Now I will tell you abont 
all these great warriors that yon see standing here. 
They were very brave. Lean Wolf fought four 
Blackfeet warriors and killed all of them. Sitting 
Eagle ran off the ponies. Feather Dog did some 
great things. Running Dog found onr enemies. 
All of these brave warriors fought hard to bring 
the ponies here. Now I have told yon abont it.” 

“White Otter! White Otter!” shouted the Min- 
256 


SAFE AT LAST 


neconjoux. “Come, White Otter, give us some 
words / 9 

The Ogalala received a stirring ovation. It was 
some time before he was able to speak. 

“My brothers, I have not many words to give 
yon , 9 9 he said, modestly. “I will tell yon that Sun 
Bird is a great war leader. He told ns what to do. 
I will tell yon that the Minneconjoux are very 
brave. I will tell my people about them. I will 
tell yon that the Dacotah ponies can run. Curly 
Horse gave me that great pony that I rode to the 
Blackfeet camp. It is very fast. That is how I 
caught Many Buffaloes. I believe Bain Crow must 
have had something to do with it. He is a great 
Medicine Person. I believe he helped me to do 
this thing. Now I will speak to your great chief 
Curly Horse. Curly Horse, I have tied that black 
pony in front of your lodge. It must stay there. 
You gave me a great pony to ride to the Blackfeet 
camp. I will keep it. Now I will give you that 
great Blackfeet pony. You must keep it. Bain 
Crow, you have called me your son. Well, my 
father, I have brought you a fast spotted pony. 
I took it from the Flatheads. Now I will not talk 
any more.” 

“White Otter, I see that you have a good heart / 9 
said Curly Horse. “I will listen to your words, 
257 


THE WAR TRAIL 


I will keep that great war pony. I feel big to 
own that pony.” 

When it grew dark the Minneconjoux lighted a 
great fire and assembled about it to celebrate the 
success of the war party. They spent the entire 
night dancing and singing and telling of the great 
exploits performed by the men who had gone to 
the Blackfeet camp. 

tv> 


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